Major Averages Turning In Mixed Performance In Mid-Day Trading

(RTTNews) - After showing a lack of direction early in the session, stocks continue to turn in a lackluster performance in mid-day trading on Wednesday. While the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 have moved modestly higher, the Dow has spent the day lingering near the unchanged line.

Currently, the major averages are turning in a mixed performance. The Dow is down 39.56 points or 0.1 percent at 30,159.75, while the Nasdaq is up 52.82 points or 0.4 percent at 12,647.88 and the S&P 500 is up 7.94 points or 0.2 percent at 3,702.56.

The choppy trading on Wall Street comes as traders weigh optimism about a new fiscal stimulus bill against disappointing retail sales data.

After a meeting of congressional leaders on Tuesday, both Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed optimism that an agreement can be reached "soon."

Traders have remained optimistic that lawmakers will eventually reach an agreement even though a deal on a new relief package has remained beyond their grasp for months.