Major US stock indices fell slightly, as the continuing decline in health care stocks offset the exceeding expectations from economic data from China and the predominantly positive reporting by companies.

As it became known, China's GDP in the first quarter grew by 6.4% year on year, helped by growth in industrial production and retail sales in March. Economists had expected a weaker growth - by 6.3%. Strong Chinese economic indicators weakened concerns that the global economy is slowing.

The focus of market participants was also the report of the Ministry of Commerce, which showed that the US trade deficit in February fell to an eight-month low. According to the report, the trade deficit fell by 3.4% to $ 49.4 billion - the lowest level since June 2018. The trade deficit in January remained unchanged at $ 51.1 billion. Economists had forecast that the trade deficit would increase to $ 53.5 billion in February.

Another report by the Ministry of Commerce indicated that wholesale inventories rose less-than-expected in February. According to the report, wholesale inventories rose by 0.2% in February after increasing by 1.2% in January. Economists had expected stocks to grow by 0.5%.

Most of the components of DOW recorded an increase (19 of 30). The growth leader was Intel Corp. (INTC; + 3.24%). The outsider was Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK, -4.85%).

Sector S & P ended the bidding in different directions. The consumer goods sector grew the most (+ 0.6%). The largest decline was shown by the health sector (-2.9%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 26,449.54 -3.12 -0.01%

S & P 500 2,900.45  -6.61 -0.23%

Nasdaq 100 7,996.08 -4.14 -0.05%

U.S. stock-index rose on Wednesday, helped by better-than-expected GDP data out of China, but gains were capped by a disappointing quarterly report from IBM (IBM).

Global Stocks:

(company / ticker / price / change ($/%) / volume)

Bank of America (BAC) downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies; target $32

IBM (IBM) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $2.25 per share (versus $2.45 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $2.24.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $18.182 bln (-4.7% y/y), missing analysts’ consensus estimate of $18.533 bln.

The company also reaffirmed guidance for FY 2019, projecting EPS of at least $13.90 versus analysts’ consensus estimate of $13.92.

IBM fell to $141.21 (-2.71%) in pre-market trading.

Morgan Stanley (MS) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $1.33 per share (versus $1.45 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $1.17.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $10.286 bln (-7.1% y/y), beating analysts’ consensus estimate of $9.963 bln.

MS rose to $47.98 (+2.04%) in pre-market trading.

Netflix (NFLX) reported Q1 FY 2019 earnings of $0.63 per share (versus $0.64 in Q1 FY 2018), beating analysts’ consensus of $0.57.

The company’s quarterly revenues amounted to $4.521 bln (+22.2% y/y), generally in line with analysts’ consensus estimate of $4.503 bln.

Paid net adds in Q1 were 9.6 mln (+16% y/y), including 1.74 mln in the U.S. and 7.86 mln internationally, versus guidance for 8.9 mln adds total, including 1.6 mln in the U.S. and 7.3 mln for the international segment.

The company also issued guidance for Q2, projecting EPS of $0.55 (versus analysts' consensus estimate of $1.00) and revenues of $4.928 bln (versus analysts' consensus estimate of $4.96 bln).

NFLX fell to $357.40 (-0.57%) in pre-market trading.