Stocks Closed Mostly Higher

U.S. stocks closed mostly higher on Wednesday, with the Dow industrials finishing lower for the day, as investors digested mixed economic data ahead of Friday’s jobs report. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 10.22 points, or 0.06%, to 17,540.47. The S&P 500 rose 6.52 points, or 0.31%, to 2,099.84. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 34.40 points, or 0.67%, to 5,139.94.

Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) lowered profit guidance for its cable networks unit and reported quarterly revenue slightly below Wall Street forecasts. The company’s overall net income climbed to $2.48 billion, or $1.45 per share, from $2.25 billion, or $1.28 per share last year. Revenue rose to $13.10 billion from $12.47 billion.

Keurig Green Mountain (GMCR) reported a year-over-year decline in sales for coffee pods and at-home brewing machines. The company reported a 27% year-over-year decline in GAAP earnings, with net income falling to $113.6 million, or 73 cents a share, versus $155.2 million, or 92 cents a year ago.

Herbalife Ltd.(HLF) reported a second-quarter profit that beat expectations and raised its full-year outlook. For the quarter ending June 30, net earnings fell to $82.8 million, or 97 cents a share, from $119.5 million, or $1.31 a share, in the same period a year ago.

21st Century Fox Inc. on Wednesday reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and a new $5 billion stock-buyback program following the media company’s recent leadership transition. The company posted a profit of $87 million, or 4 cents a share, down from $999 million, or 45 cents a share, a year earlier.