US stock markets posted tiny changes in the overnight session, with the S&P 500 index pushing minutely higher, up 3.9 points to 4,475, while the 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 54.6 points, or 0.2%, to 34,934.3 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 0.1%.
The market digested the minutes of the Federal Reserve’s January board meeting, which seemed to affirm plan for interest rate rises at a faster pace than many had expected.
On Ukraine watch, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg appeared to cast doubt on the previously reported partial withdrawal of Russian forces from the border area.
Elsewhere, there was some good economic news, with sales for US retailers rising 3.8% in January, well ahead of expectations, and the largest increase since last March.
The Australian dollar is currently buying 72 US cents.
US stock market movers
These US stocks were among the biggest movers on Wednesday.
- Upstart (NASDAQ: UPST) up 35.7%
- Alteryx (NYSE: AYX) up 11.8%
- Fiverr (NASDAQ: FVRR) down 10.7%
- Shopify (NYSE: SHOP) down 16.0%
- Toast (NASDAQ: TOST) down 18.2%
- Roblox (NYSE: RBLX) down 26.5%
Back home on the ASX, the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) is heading towards a flat open this morning as the likes of Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS) and Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) report.
