US stocks were mixed in the last trading session ahead of Friday’s release of the December jobs report.
In a volatile session, the S&P 500 closed 0.2 percent higher on Wednesday, while the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1 percent. Both indexes fell more than 1 percent on Tuesday.
Minutes of the Federal Reserve’s December meeting, released during afternoon trading, indicated that central bank officials saw the need for a “cautious approach” to future interest rate cuts. However, the minutes did little to move traders’ expectations that the Fed’s first interest rate cut this year will arrive in July.
Official jobs data released on Friday will provide investors with their next opportunity to weigh the outlook for monetary policy this year.
The US stock and treasury market will be closed on Thursday for former President Jimmy Carter’s memorial.
