U.S. stocks traded lower Wednesday, pressured by a decline in oil prices, as the major averages attempted to hold gains for the shortened holiday week.
The Dow Jones industrial average removed 40.3 points to 17,680.68, with Chevron the greatest decliner and Caterpillar leading advancers.
The S&P 500 lost 7.39 points to 2,070.97, with energy leading all 10 sectors lower.
The NASDAQ index dropped 18.23 points to 5,089.71.
As of Tuesday's close, the S&P 500 was up 1% year-to-date, while the Dow was down 0.6% for the year so far. The NASDAQ was up 7.9% for 2015.
Pending home sales fell 0.9% in November from an upwardly revised October reading, according to the National Association of Realtors.
WTI and Brent traded about 3% lower below $37 U.S. a barrel after weekly crude oil inventories unexpectedly showed a buildup by 2.6 million barrels.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury fell slightly, lifting yields to 2.31% from Tuesday's 2.3%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices fell $1.15 a barrel to $36.72 U.S.
Gold prices slipped $8.65 to $1,060.46 U.S. an ounce.
Source: Baystreet US Market Commentary
(December 30, 2015 - 12:55 PM EST)
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