New York, Aug 9 (IANS) US stocks closed mixed as investors monitored the latest development of US-China trade conflicts.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday was down 45.16 points, or 0.18 percent to 25,583.75. The S&P 500 erased 0.075 point, or 0.03 percent, to 2,857.70, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 4.66 points, or 0.06 percent, to 7,888.33.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Wednesday a 25 percent charge on $16 billion worth of US goods, including auto and crude oil.
The announcement came after the US government released a finalised list of $16 billion worth of Chinese goods that will be charged with higher tariffs.
This earnings season has been stronger than analysts had expected.
Second quarter earnings are expected to increase 23.5 percent from the same period last year. Excluding the energy sector, the earnings growth estimate declines to 20.4 percent.