Markets Right Now: US stocks mostly fall in midday trading

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

11:45 a.m.

Stocks are mostly lower as losses for Texas Instruments and other chipmakers, as well as Apple, pull technology companies lower.

The dollar is weaker Wednesday after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the declining dollar is good for U.S. exporters. Gold and silver prices jumped.

Airlines are falling sharply after United Continental said it plans to ramp up capacity.

United plunged 12 per cent, Delta dropped 7 per cent and American Airlines sank 7.6 per cent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was little changed at 2,839.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 64 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 26,274. The Nasdaq composite fell 34 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 7,425

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.65 per cent.

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9:35 a.m.

Health care and consumer-focused companies are rising in early trading as stocks look to extend their winning streak to a fourth day.

Medical device, drug and infant formula maker Abbott Laboratories climbed 3.6 per cent Wednesday after reporting a strong fourth quarter.

United Continental plunged 8.6 per cent after saying it will ramp up flights at a faster pace over the next three years.

The dollar weakened further after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the declining dollar is good because it helps U.S. exporters. Gold climbed 1.2 per cent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index gained 7 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 2,846.

The Dow Jones industrial average added 97 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 26,307. The Nasdaq composite picked up 13 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 7,473.