Major US stock indexes finished trading in different directions

Major US stock indexes closed mostly in positive territory, as the growth of technology companies companies fall leveled retailers. At the same time the Dow fell below zero under the pressure of the basic materials sector shares.

Investors assessed makrostatisticheskie publishing quarterly reports and a number of US companies, as well as preparing for the speech of Fed Chairman Janet Yellen.

As it became known, the consumer prices in the US rose in December as households increased spending on gasoline and rental housing, which led, a sign that inflationary pressures may be growing to the largest growth at an annual rate of 2.5 per year. According to the report, the consumer price index rose 0.3% last month, after rising 0.2% in November. In the 12 months to October, the consumer price index increased by 2.1% - the largest increase year on year in June, 2014. The consumer price index rose by 1.7% in the year to November. The increase was in line with economists' expectations.

The volume of industrial production rose in December for the biggest jump of utilities since 1989, as the temperature dropped throughout the country. The Fed reported that industrial production increased by 0.8% after a downwardly revised decline of 0.7% in November. Economists had forecast an increase of 0.6%.

sentiment index from the National Association of Home Builders fell by 2 points to 67 in January. Even with the reduction, the December reading was still the highest point of the index with the peak of the housing boom time in 2005, and in January was the second largest. Economists had forecast a reading of 69 in January.

However, the Fed's Beige Book showed that the economy continued to grow at a moderate pace in most regions at the end of 2016 and beginning of this year. In addition, the company is optimistic with regards to future growth in 2017. "In many regions they noted that they expect the continuation of labor market recovery in 2017, while the pressure on wages is likely to grow, and job growth will remain at the same level or accelerate", - the report says.

As for the performances Yellen, she said that the US economy is close to maximum employment, and inflation "is moving toward the goal." "The December rate hike reflects confidence that the economic situation will continue to improve. The scale of the next rate increase depends on how the economy will develop. But too long a delay in raising rates is fraught with "unpleasant surprises" in the form of high inflation, instability. Now Fed officials expect rate hikes, "a few times a year" until 2019 "- said Yellen. - Perhaps there is still potential for progress in the labor market. Wage growth is still quite low, and only began to accelerate in recent years. Broader indicators of unemployment is still above doretsessionnyh levels. "

DOW index components closed mostly in the red (16 of 30). Most remaining shares fell UnitedHealth Group, Inc. (UNH, -2.00%). The leader of growth were the shares of American Express Company (AXP, + 1.16%).

Sector S & P index finished the session mixed. Most of the basic materials sector fell (-0.4%). The leader turned out to be the industrial goods sector (+ 0.4%).

At the close:

Dow -0.11% 19,804.68 -22.09

Nasdaq + 0.31% 5,555.66 +16.93

S & P + 0.17% 2,271.85 +3.96