After a positive start, stocks gave up their gains and moved along the flat line till around mid afternoon on Wednesday before drifting lower to end the day's session on a weak note.
Marginally higher U.S. futures point to a slightly positive start on Wall Street Wednesday morning. The data on private sector employment, due ahead of the opening bell, is likely to set the mood.
After opening on a slightly subdued note, U.S. stocks climbed higher and held firm right through the day's session on Tuesday to eventually close with solid gains.
After staying weak till about an hour past noon, U.S. stocks recovered and climbed higher on Monday and eventually ended the day's session on a fairly firm note.
The stock market was less fearful, though, and flipped from modest morning losses following potentially encouraging news on interest rates, which have been dragging Wall Street mainly lower since the summer. The Dow rose 197 points, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.4%. NEW YORK (AP) Oil prices are climbing Monday on worries about the possible ramifications of violence in the Middle East.