Nasdaq Posts Moderate Gain, Dow And S&P 500 Close Nearly Flat

(RTTNews) - After seeing modest strength throughout much of the session, stocks gave back ground into the close of trading on Wednesday. While the Nasdaq managed to hold on to a moderate gain, the Dow and the S&P 500 closed nearly flat.

Most of the major sectors ended the day showing only modest moves, contributing to the lackluster close by the broader markets.

Biotechnology stocks showed a strong move to the upside on the day, however, driving the NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index up by 1.2 percent. With the gain, the index ended the session at its best closing level in two months.

Agios Pharmaceuticals (AGIO) helped to lead the biotech sector higher, with the biopharmaceutical company jumping by 8.3 percent.

Electronic storage and retail stocks also saw some strength, while considerable weakness emerged among steel stocks.

The Nasdaq climbed 13.33 points or 0.3 percent to 5,116.14 and the Dow inched up by 1.20 points or less than a tenth of a percent to 17,813.39, while the S&P 500 edged down 0.27 points or less than a tenth of a percent to 2,088.87.