Wall Street Edges Higher as Traders Brace for Jobs Report

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U.S. equity markets tilted just slightly higher on Wednesday as traders awaited the key monthly jobs reported and digested upbeat data from ADP.

Today's Markets

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 20.1 points, or 0.12%, to 16976, the S&P 500 advanced 1.3 points, or 0.06%, to 1975 and the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.92 point, or 0.02%, to 4458.

The blue-chip average came within less than two points of the 17000 milestone for the first time ever on Tuesday. However, the Dow failed to hold the gains.

A duo of closely-watched economic reports could help provide direction on Wednesday.

Payroll processor ADP reported the private sector tacked on 281,000 jobs last month, widely topping Wall Street estimates of an increase of 200,000.

Meanwhile, factory orders, a broad measure of factory activity, are forecast to have slipped by 0.3% on a month-to-month basis in May.

Elsewhere, U.S. crude oil futures fell 41 cents, or 0.39%, to $104.93 a barrel. Wholesale New York Harbor gasoline dipped 0.7% to $3.077 a gallon. Gold advanced $1.40, or 0.11%, to $1,328 a troy ounce.