Major US stock indexes fell slightly on Wednesday, despite a positive start to trading. Market participants continue to assess the likelihood of Britain continued membership in the EU on the basis of the referendum, which will take place tomorrow. On the eve of the popular vote, most opinion polls indicate that the majority of respondents support the option to "stay."

In addition, increased in April by 0.2% in US housing prices, seasonally adjusted, compared with the previous month, according to the Federal Agency for Housing Finance (FHFA). Previously reported increase of 0.7% in March was revised upwards and reflected an increase of 0.8%.

At the same time, the volume of home sales in the US secondary market up to May results, reaching its highest level in more than nine years, as the increase in inventories of homes provided a wider range of customers. The National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes increased in May by 1.8%, to 5.53 million. Units (in terms of annual growth). The last reading was the highest since February 2007. Meanwhile, the volume of home sales in April was revised down - to 5.43 million units from 5.45 million units... Economists had forecast sales growth of 1.1% to 5.54 million. Units.

Oil prices fell more than 2%, being under pressure due to oil product inventories report in the United States, which did not meet forecasts. On the trading dynamics also affect expectations of a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU. US Department of Energy reported that in the week of June 11-17, oil inventories fell by 917,000 barrels to 530.6 million barrels. It was predicted a decline of 1.67 million barrels. Oil reserves in Cushing terminal fell by 1.3 million barrels to 65.2 million barrels.

DOW index components decreased mainly (21 vs. 9 in the red in the black). Outsider were shares of McDonald's Corp. (MCD, -1,69%). Most remaining shares rose Merck & Co. Inc. (MRK, + 1,56%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P zaershili trading down. conglomerates (-0.4%) sectors fell most. The leader turned out to be the health sector (+ 0.4%).

At the close:

Dow -0.28% 17,780.63 -49.10

Nasdaq -0.22% 4,833.32 -10.44

S & P -0.17% 2,085.44 -3.46