Stocks Ended Lower amid Mixed Earnings

U.S. stocks ended lower in a choppy session on Wednesday amid mixed corporate earnings results and continued concerns of trade tensions and a potential return to a government shutdown. The Dow Industrial Average declined 21.22 points, or 0.08%, to 25,390.30. The S&P 500 was down 6.09 points, or 0.22%, to 2,731.61. The Nasdaq Composite fell 26.80 points, or 0.36%, to 7,375.28.

Snap (SNAP) posted a fourth-quarter loss per share of 4 cents, versus 7 cents anticipated by analysts, while revenue of $390 million came in $12 million ahead of expectations.

Disney (DIS) delivered stronger-than-expected quarterly earnings and revenue for the fiscal first quarter as the company articulated its focus on building out its direct-to-consumer platforms.

General Motors (GM) exceeded Wall Street’s expectations for fourth-quarter results on the top and bottom lines amid the automaker’s cost-cutting workforce reductions and higher truck sales. Adjusted earnings were $1.43 per share on revenue of $38.4 billion.

The U.S. trade deficit in November narrowed to $49.3 billion, an 11.5% reduction from October’s revised $55.7 billion deficit. This was the first decline in the trade deficit after five consecutive months of increases.

President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address Tuesday night provided few surprises for investors and primarily provided a platform for the president to restate his stances on U.S.-China trade, immigration policy and infrastructure.