Major U.S. stock-indexes pared some of their losses on Wednesday as energy and materials stocks rose, driven by a 6% rally in crude oil prices. Oil rose after investors took advantage of an earlier weakness in prices and a drop in the U.S. dollar. Earlier in the day, stocks fell after U.S. data showed that the economy's service sector expanded at a slower-than-expected rate, raising concerns that weakness in manufacturing was spreading to other areas of the economy. But, ADP data showed private employers added more jobs than expected in January. The data comes ahead of the government's more comprehensive employment report on Friday.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (22 of 30). Top looser - Intel Corporation (INTC, -3,42%). Top gainer - E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DD, +2,46%).

Most of S&P sectors also in negative area. Top looser - Healthcare (-1,4%). Top gainer - Basic Materials (+1,5%).

At the moment:

Dow 16036.00 -55.00 -0.34%

S&P 500 1882.00 -15.50 -0.82%

Nasdaq 100 4119.75 -72.25 -1.72%

Oil 31.56 +1.68 +5.62%

Gold 1139.80 +12.60 +1.12%

U.S. 10yr 1.86 -0.01