Investing.com - U.S. stocks were steady on Friday, after the release of mixed U.S. economic reports, as markets awaited the outcome of the G20 summit due to begin during the day.
During early U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.02%, the S&P 500 index added 0.04%, while the Nasdaq Composite index edged 0.08% higher.
Official data showed that U.S. industrial production slipped 0.1% in January, disappointing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 0.4% increase the previous month.
The data came after the Federal Reserve of New York said that its index of manufacturing activity improved far more-than-expected in February, rising to 10.0 from a reading of minus 7.8 the previous month.
Analysts had expected the index to improve to minus 2 this month.
Meanwhile, market sentiment remained under pressure as downbeat economic growth data from the euro zone on Thursday sparked fresh concerns over the bloc's financial woes.
Television companies were in focus, as DirecTV warned that Venezuela's recent currency devaluation will crimp its results this year and said it was still considering buying Brazilian telecom operator GVT, sending shares down 1.37%.
Separately, CBS Corp surged 3.05%after reporting a 6% gain in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, boosted by political advertising on its TV networks and higher revenue from cable channel fees.
Adding to gains, Herbalife soared 12.33% after reknown investor Carl Icahn said in a regulatory filing that he bought 14 million shares of the company, giving him a 12.98% stake.
Elsewhere, AT&T added 0.34%, after it won a ruling from a federal appeals court on Thursday in a lawsuit against liquid crystal display panel makers alleging a price-fixing conspiracy.
Also in corporate news, U.S. oil company Occidental Petroleum reportedly started looking for someone to replace Chief Executive Stephen Chazen, after the 66-year-old spent less than two years in the job.
In the financial sector, stocks were mixed. Shares in Bank of America rose 0.33% and JP Morgan added 0.28%, while Goldman Sachs and Citigroup slipped 0.05% and 0.09% respectively.
Among earnings, Campbell Soup posted earnings that topped expectations, thanks to its recent acquisition of Bolthouse Farms, sending shares up 1.01%.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 inched up 0.05%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.48%, Germany's DAX added 0.07%, while Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.23%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index edged 0.13% higher, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 1.18%.
Later in the day, the University of Michigan was to release preliminary data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.
During early U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average inched up 0.02%, the S&P 500 index added 0.04%, while the Nasdaq Composite index edged 0.08% higher.
Official data showed that U.S. industrial production slipped 0.1% in January, disappointing expectations for a 0.2% rise, after a 0.4% increase the previous month.
The data came after the Federal Reserve of New York said that its index of manufacturing activity improved far more-than-expected in February, rising to 10.0 from a reading of minus 7.8 the previous month.
Analysts had expected the index to improve to minus 2 this month.
Meanwhile, market sentiment remained under pressure as downbeat economic growth data from the euro zone on Thursday sparked fresh concerns over the bloc's financial woes.
Television companies were in focus, as DirecTV warned that Venezuela's recent currency devaluation will crimp its results this year and said it was still considering buying Brazilian telecom operator GVT, sending shares down 1.37%.
Separately, CBS Corp surged 3.05%after reporting a 6% gain in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday, boosted by political advertising on its TV networks and higher revenue from cable channel fees.
Adding to gains, Herbalife soared 12.33% after reknown investor Carl Icahn said in a regulatory filing that he bought 14 million shares of the company, giving him a 12.98% stake.
Elsewhere, AT&T added 0.34%, after it won a ruling from a federal appeals court on Thursday in a lawsuit against liquid crystal display panel makers alleging a price-fixing conspiracy.
Also in corporate news, U.S. oil company Occidental Petroleum reportedly started looking for someone to replace Chief Executive Stephen Chazen, after the 66-year-old spent less than two years in the job.
In the financial sector, stocks were mixed. Shares in Bank of America rose 0.33% and JP Morgan added 0.28%, while Goldman Sachs and Citigroup slipped 0.05% and 0.09% respectively.
Among earnings, Campbell Soup posted earnings that topped expectations, thanks to its recent acquisition of Bolthouse Farms, sending shares up 1.01%.
Across the Atlantic, European stock markets were higher. The EURO STOXX 50 inched up 0.05%, France’s CAC 40 climbed 0.48%, Germany's DAX added 0.07%, while Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.23%.
During the Asian trading session, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index edged 0.13% higher, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 Index tumbled 1.18%.
Later in the day, the University of Michigan was to release preliminary data on consumer sentiment and inflation expectations.