WCG - Stocks Unchanged as Trade Deficit Narrows

Stocks fell slightly on Wednesday after the release of better-than-expected trade data, but worries over the economy lingered as rates remained at subdued levels.

The Dow Jones Industrials was static at Tuesday's opening, at 25,657.61

The S&P 500 faded 1.8 points to 2,816.66

The NASDAQ Composite sank 12.7 points to 7,678.82.

Shares of WellCare Health Plans surged more than 10% after announcing it would sell itself to Centene for $15.27 billion in a cash-and-stock deal. Centene shares, meanwhile, dropped 9%

The U.S. trade deficit fell to $51.15 billion in January, much more than was expected and could give a boost to this quarter's GDP.

Prices for the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury climbed, lowering yields to 2.38% from Tuesday's 2.42%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices were up five cents to $59.99 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices slid $2.80 to $1,312.20 U.S. an ounce.

Stocks Unchanged as Trade Deficit Narrows