U.S. stocks ended Wednesday little changed, as major indexes failed to stray frar from the unchanged mark, with investors digesting the impact of two conflicting sets of jobs data and a report that said President-elect Donald Trump was mulling a national economic emergency declaration on inflation.

The minutes of the Federal Reserve's Dec. 17-18 meeting showed on Wednesday that officials saw a rising risk that price pressures may remain sticky as policymakers began wrestling with the impact of policies expected from the incoming Trump administration.

Market sentiment was fragile after a CNN report said Trump was mulling building the new tariff program by using the International Economic Emergency Powers Act, which authorizes a president to manage imports during a national emergency.

Benchmark 10-year yields peaked at 4.73%, the highest since April 25, to retreat slightly to 4.681% later in the afternoon.

Ahead of Trump taking office later in the month, concerns about potential surcharges on U.S. trade partners have kept investors on edge as Trump's policies, including mass deportations and tariffs, could stoke inflation pressures.

According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 (.SPX), gained 8.49 points, or 0.13%, to end at 5,917.52 points, while the Nasdaq Composite (.IXIC), lost 10.96 points, or 0.06%, to 19,478.72. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI), rose 93.75 points, or 0.22%, to 42,622.11.

Most of the 11 S&P 500 sectors posted modest gains, led by the healthcare index (.SPXHC).

Source : Reuters