US stocks end mixed ahead of key inflation figures

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - US stocks closed mixed Wednesday, a day before the release of key inflation figures that the Federal Reserve watches closely.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose nearly 10 points, or 0.03%, to finish at 33,743.84 as the blue-chip index strongly rebounded from a 400-point loss during the session.

The S&P 500, on the other hand, ended the session almost flat, losing less than a point, or 0.02%, to 4,016.22.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq decreased 21 points, or 0.18%, to close at 11,313.36.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, fell 0.8% to 19.05, while the 10-year US Treasury yield fell 0.5% to 3.451%.

The dollar index lost 0.24% to 101.67, while the euro added 0.26% to $1.0913 against the greenback.

Precious metals reversed course and climbed back into positive territory, with gold adding 0.4% to $1,945 per ounce and silver rising 0.9% to $23.89.

Crude oil prices were also in the green, with global benchmark Brent crude increasing 0.4% to $86.46 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $80.56, a 0.5% daily gain.

The Fed's preferred and most reliable inflation indicators -- the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index and the Core PCE Price Index -- for the fourth quarter of 2022 will be released before Thursday's market opening at 8.30 a.m. EDT.