Markets End Day Little Changed

Stocks ended little changed as a stretch of listless trading continues, the AP reports. Bond yields and the dollar resumed their moves higher Wednesday. Steel maker Nucor gained 3.7% and Fastenal, which sells nuts, bolts, and other equipment, jumped 5.8% after turning in a strong earnings report. Retailers fell broadly after Target reported weak holiday sales. Target fell 5.8%, Dollar Tree slumped 2.8%, and Macy's fell 1.5%. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 4 points, or 0.2%, to 2,271. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 22 points, or 0.1%, to 19,804, held back by a big drop in UnitedHealth. The Nasdaq composite rose 16 points, or 0.3%, to 5,555. (More Dow Jones stories.)