Markets Right Now: Stocks drop as Dems eye Trump inquiry

NEW YORK – The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):

4 p.m.

Stocks had their most volatile day in a month Tuesday as a growing number of Democrats called for an impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump and a report showed a decline in consumer confidence.

The S&P 500 fell 25 points, or 0.8%, to 2,966. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 142 points to 26,807 after swinging between a gain of 130 points and a loss of 255 points. The Nasdaq dropped 118 points, or 1.5%, to 7,993.

Chipmakers and internet stocks had steep losses. Advanced Micro Devices dropped 3.7% and Facebook fell 3%.

House Democrats were meeting to discuss launching an impeachment inquiry following reports that Trump may have sought a foreign government’s help in his reelection bid.

Bonds rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 1.64% from 1.70% Monday.

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12 p.m.

Stocks are lower at midday on Wall Street Tuesday as a sharp drop in a reading on U.S. consumer confidence outweighs optimism surrounding U.S.-China trade negotiations.

The Conference Board’s consumer confidence index fell to 125.1 in September from a revised August reading of 134.2. Consumer spending has supported the U.S. economy amid a slowdown in manufacturing.

Consumer-focused stocks declined. Harley-Davidson fell 2.8% and Under Armour dropped 1.7%.

Stocks rose earlier after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed top-level trade talks are set for the week of Oct. 7.

The S&P 500 fell 4 points, or 0.1%, to 2,987. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 4 points to 26,994. The Nasdaq dropped 50 points, or 0.6%, to 8,061.

Bonds rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 1.66% from 1.70% Monday.

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9:45 a.m.

Stocks are rising at the open on Wall Street Tuesday after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin confirmed that China-U.S. trade talks were due to resume in two weeks’ time.

Technology stocks were the early market leaders. Apple rose 1% after analysts at Jefferies upgraded the stock to a “buy.”

Consumer-focused stocks also rose. CarMax gained 1.1% after the auto dealer’s quarterly results beat analysts’ estimates.

Mnuchin late Monday confirmed top-level trade talks are still set for the week of Oct. 7.

The S&P 500 rose 14 points, or 0.5%, to 3,006. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 119 points, or 0.4%, to 27,069.

The Nasdaq rose 44 points, or 0.6%, to 8,156.

Bonds rose slightly. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 1.69%.