Stocks traded slightly higher Wednesday, with investors awaiting the release of fresh U.S. inflation data and earnings.
The Dow Jones Industrials remained positive 36.04 points to open Wednesday afternoon at 37,561.20.
The S&P 500 remained in the green 8.2 points to 4,764.70.
The NASDAQ improved 42.64 points to 14,900.35.
Intuitive Surgical took on more than 5% and Lennar gained 3%, Intuitive increased its procedure growth outlook for fiscal year 2024 after market close on Tuesday, when Lennar had also announced an increase to its annual dividend.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase and Marathon Digital fell more than 1.5% each, as bitcoin prices declined. The price movement came on the back of an incorrect announcement posted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's X account, saying that it had approved bitcoin ETFs.
The latest consumer price index report is slated for release Thursday. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect CPI rose 3.2% year over year in December.
Investors will look through the reports for clues on when the Federal Reserve may start cutting rates. Some of those expectations have been dialed back in recent days, although experts say the odds hover at around 64%.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury fell slightly, moving yields upward to 4.02%, from Tuesday's 4.01%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices forged ahead five cents to $72.29 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices dipped $1.40 to $2,031.60.