Major US stock indices fell slightly as the long-lasting inversion of the US Treasury bonds yield curve raised concerns about a slowdown in economic growth.

The yield on 10-year Treasury bonds declined on Wednesday, but retreated from the 15-month lows reached at night, as the focus of investors continues to be deep-seated statements by central banks around the world. The European Central Bank was the last central bank to refuse to raise rates amid growing threats to growth.

Investor concerns about the slowdown in global economic growth intensified last week after the Federal Reserve reported that it did not plan to raise rates this year, while data from the United States, Europe and Japan indicated a decline in activity in the industrial sector.

However, not all the data turned out to be gloomy. A report by the US Department of Commerce showed that the trade deficit fell to $ 51.1 billion in January from $ 59.9 billion in December. Economists had expected the deficit to shrink to $ 57.0 billion from the $ 59.8 billion originally announced in the previous month. Imports to the US the month before last fell by 2.6%, to $ 258.5 billion (the minimum value in seven months), while exports increased by 0.9% to $ 207.3 billion.

Most of the components of DOW recorded a decline (19 of 30). Walmart Inc. shares turned out to be an outsider. (WMT; -1.17%). The growth leader was The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV, + 1.31%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P finished trading in the red. The exception is the consumer goods sector (+ 0.1%). The largest decline was shown by the technology sector (-0.9%).

At the time of closing:

Dow 25,625.59 -32.14 -0.13%

S & P 500 2,805.37 -13.09 -0.46%

Nasdaq 100 7,643.38 -48.14 -0.63%

U.S. stock-index were flat on Wednesday as lingering growth concerns and a further decline in U.S. Treasury yields continued to weigh on sentiment. Meanwhile better-than-expected trade data provided some support to the market.

Global Stocks:

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