Major US stock indices slightly added, as the fall in prices for shares in the utilities sector was offset by growth in the financial sector.

Meanwhile, the dynamics of trading influenced by US data. As it became known, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell for the first time in a month, which confirmed the opinion of the Federal Reserve System that the labor market is strengthening. Initial applications for unemployment benefits, a measure of the number of workers laid off in the US, declined by 3,000 to 247,000, seasonally adjusted for the week ending July 8, the Ministry of Labor said. Economists had expected 245,000 initial hits.

In addition, wholesale prices in the US increased slightly in June, providing a little more evidence that inflationary pressures remain moderate. Last month, the producer price index rose by 0.1%, the government said in a statement. Economists had expected a 0.1% decrease in PPI.

The cost of oil jumped by more than 1%, as evidence of a stronger demand for oil from China compensated for the negative, contained in the report of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Components of the DOW index finished trading mixed (14 in negative territory, 16 in positive territory). Leader of growth were shares of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT, + 1.66%). The outsider was E.I du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD, -1.12%).

Most sectors of S & P showed an increase. The financial sector grew most (+ 0.4%). The utilities sector showed the greatest decrease (-0.3%).

At closing:

DJIA + 0.10% 21.553.09 +20.95

Nasdaq + 0.21% 6.274.44 +13.27

S & P + 0.19% 2,447.83 +4.58