Stocks Ended Mostly Lower as Oil Extended Losses

U.S. stocks ended mostly lower on Wednesday, with the Dow industrials and the S&P 500 closed lower as dropping oil prices weighed on stocks, while the Nasdaq finished higher led by a big jump in Apple Inc. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 31.98 points, or 0.18%, to 18,034.77. The S&P 500 was down 1.25 points, or 0.06%, to 2,125.77. The Nasdaq Composite was up 18.52 points, or 0.36%, to 5,173.77.

Oil futures settled at a nearly two-week low on Wednesday, as traders looked past an unexpected decline in a weekly tally of crude stockpiles to focus on an increase in output. October West Texas Intermediate crude fell by $1.32, or 2.9%, to settle at $43.58 a barrel. November Brent crude lost $1.25, or 2.7%, to $45.85 a barrel.

Ford Motor Co. Chief Executive Mark Fields said Wednesday the car maker will shift the production of its small cars from the U.S. to Mexico, a move aimed at “reinventing” Ford’s small vehicle business and cutting costs to help boost profitability.

Aerie Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AERI) shares skyrocketed in the extended session Wednesday after the drug discovery company’s treatment for lowering fluid pressure inside the eyeball yielded promising results.