Stock Trading

Investors treaded water for a second day Wednesday as a batch of mixed economic reports and signs of division among Federal Reserve policymakers offered scant new insight into the economy. Major market barometers ended little changed, but modest gains pushed the Standard & Poor's 500 index to a new 15-month high. The cautious tone seen Tuesday and Wednesday reflected investors' caution as they awaited the government's monthly employment report Friday.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.66, or less than 0.1 percent, to 10,573.68.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 0.62, or 0.1 percent, to 1,137.14.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 7.62, or 0.3 percent, to 2,301.09.

For the week:

The Dow is up 145.63, or 1.4 percent.

The S&P is up 22.04, or 2.0 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 31.94, or 1.4 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 145.63, or 1.4 percent.

The S&P is up 22.04, or 2.0 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 31.94, or 1.4 percent.