Exchange-Traded Funds Rise, US Equities Mixed After Midday

Broad Market Indicators Broad-market exchange-traded funds IWM and IVV edged higher Wednesday afternoon. Actively traded Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) fell 0.9%. US equity indexes were mixed following a surprise decline in the wholesale price inflation rate and a signal from Iran that its allies could shut the maritime gateway to the Red Sea. Energy IShares US Energy ETF (IYE) and the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) each shed about 1.4%. Technology The State Street Technology Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLK) fell 2.3%; iShares US Technology ETF (IYW) shed 1%, and iShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF (IGM) was down 1.5%. The State Street SPDR S&P Semiconductor (XSD) declined 3.9%, and iShares Semiconductor (SOXX) fell 4%. Financial The State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) rose 0.9%. Direxion Daily Financial Bull 3X Shares (FAS) advanced 2.7%, and its bearish counterpart, Direxion Daily Financial Bear 3X Shares (FAZ), declined 2.5%. Commodities Crude oil gained 0.1%, and the United States Oil Fund (USO) rose 0.1%. Natural gas added 0.5%, and the United States Natural Gas Fund (UNG) was up 0.1%. Gold on Comex dipped 0.9%, and the State Street SPDR Gold Shares (GLD).