Dow34390.72+90.73(0.26%)Nasdaq14512.44-34.24(-0.24%)SP 5004359.46+6.83(0.16%)10-yr Note 0/321.543NYSEAdv 1896 Dec 1352 Vol 824.5 mlnNasdaqAdv 1805 Dec 2327 Vol 5.1 bln Industry Watch Strong: Consumer Staples, Utilities, Real Estate, Health CareWeak: Materials, Information Technology, Communication Services Moving the Market -- S&P 500 ekes out gain while Nasdaq closes lower -- Calmer Treasury market -- Defensive-oriented stocks outperformed-- Dollar strengthens S&P 500 makes a small gain amid calmer Treasury marketsDow +90.73 at 34390.72, Nasdaq -34.24 at 14512.44, S&P +6.83 at 4359.46 [BRIEFING.COM] The S&P 500 increased 0.2% on Wednesday amid a calmer Treasury market, although the benchmark index was up 0.8% at session highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.3% while the Nasdaq Composite (-0.2%) and Russell 2000 (-0.2%) coughed up gains and closed lower. The Treasury market stubbornly resisted buying interest, but at least yields were kept in check: the 10-yr yield increased one basis point to 1.54% (below yesterday's high of 1.56%) while the 2-yr yield decreased one basis point to 0.29%. The U.S. Dollar Index rose 0.7% to 94.41, signaling a defensive undertone. Likewise, the defensive-oriented utilities (+1.3%), consumer staples (+0.9%), health care (+0.8%), and real estate (+0.7%) sectors were today's leaders in the S&P 500. The materials (-0.2%), communication services (-0.2%), and information technology (-0.1%) sectors closed lower. The latter two groups were influential laggards. The semiconductor stocks held back the technology sector after Micron ($MU 71.64, -1.46, -2.0%) issued downside guidance for its fiscal first quarter due to ongoing supply chain disruptions. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index declined 1.5%. Micron wasn't the only company that lowered expectations. Sherwin-Williams ($SHW 282.26, +2.64, +0.9%) reduced its Q3 and FY21 guidance, citing worsening raw material availability and pricing inflation, and Generac ($GNRC 406.53, -18.81, -4.4%) issued downside FY21 revenue guidance. SHW closed higher despite the bad news. Dollar Tree ($DLTR 100.51, +14.23, +16.5%) was a prime example of "pricing inflation" with an announcement that it will start selling certain items for $1.25 to $1.50. DLTR shares rallied 16.5%, further supported by plans to increase its share buyback program to $2.5 billion. Boeing ($BA 225.36, +6.95, +3.2%), meanwhile, helped lead the Dow higher after the stock was upgraded to Outperform from Mkt Perform at Bernstein. The firm believes global travel is reaching an inflection point. Elsewhere, WTI crude futures fell 0.5%, or $0.38, to $74.91/BBL amid an unexpected build in weekly crude inventories (4.58 million). Silver futures fell 4.3%, or $0.97, to $21.49/OZT amid the stronger dollar. Reviewing Wednesday's economic data: Pending home sales jumped 8.1% m/m in August (Briefing.com consensus 1.0%) following a revised 2.0% decline (from -1.8%) in July.The weekly MBA Mortgage Applications Index decreased 1.1% following a 4.9% increase in the prior week.Weekly crude oil inventories increased by 4.58 mln barrels after decreasing by 3.48 mln barrels during the previous week. Looking ahead, investors will receive the weekly Initial and Continuing Claims report, the third estimate for Q2 GDP, and the Chicago PMI for September on Thursday. S&P 500 +16.1% YTDRussell 2000 +12.7% YTDNasdaq Composite +12.6% YTDDow Jones Industrial Average +12.4% YTDSource: (Briefing.com) Disclosure: I may trade in the ticker symbols mentioned, both long or short. My articles represent my personal opinion and analysis and should not be taken as investment advice. Readers should do their own research before making decisions to buy or sell securities. Trading and investing include risks, including loss of principal. If you liked this article, please click the LIKE (thumbs up) button. Feel free to leave any comments, question, or opinions. (Sign-up if you haven't already done so). Follow us/bookmark us and check back occasionally for additional articles or comments on our page... Wild Tiger Trading - start/main page. .