U.S. stocks edged higher on Tuesday as an upbeat outlook from UnitedHealth lifted health insurers, though a sharp drop in oil prices weighed on energy shares and limited the advance.
The day's small gains followed a decline in the market on Monday. Analysts said the post-U.S. election rally may be losing momentum, wit the S&P 500 now up roughly 8 percent for the year to date.
The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI rose 23.7 points, or 0.12 percent, to 19,121.6, while the S&P 500 .SPX gained 2.94 points, or 0.13 percent, to 2,204.66.
The Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 11.11 points, or 0.21 percent, to end at 5,379.92, after hitting a record intraday high.
Asian stocks edged higher on Wednesday reflecting upbeat U.S. growth news while oil steadied after a sharp drop overnight as OPEC struggled to agree on a glut-draining production cut.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS was up 0.1 percent in early trades. It is poised to post a second consecutive monthly loss.
Early action in Asian stocks was just as guarded with Australia down 0.16 percent , the Nikkei .N225 flat and South Korea .KS11 up 0.2 percent.
Reference : Reuters
Thai
Eng