US stocks mixed amid tepid data

January 13th, 2012 - 2:42 am ICT by IANS  

New York, Jan 13 (IANS) US stocks traded mixed Thursday as US economic data worried investors, but news from Europe provided support.

The US Commerce Department said total retail sales increased 0.1 percent in December, after rising by an upwardly revised 0.4 percent in November, a little weaker than previously expected, Xinhua reported.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department said initial jobless claims jumped to 399,000 last week, the highest level in six weeks, suggesting lingering uncertainties in the jobs market.

However, news from the Europe came as a relief. Italy successfully sold 12-month government bonds, with the lowest yield since June 2011.

Also, the European Central Bank left interest rates unchanged at 1.0 percent in its first policy meeting of the year, eliminating investors’ concerns about any possible changes of monetary policies.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 21.45 points, or 0.17 percent, to 12,428.00. The Standard & Poor’s 500 was down 0.74 points, or 0.06 percent, to 1,291.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 4.53 points, or 0.17 percent, to 2,715.24.

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