Wall Street ends mixed, with a tilt higher

US stock indices closed the third session of the week mixed, with the energy sector leading the charge higher, in turn compensating for weakness in tech and finance sectors, as the first-quarter earnings season progresses for major American banks and corporations.  

The Federal Reserve released the Beige Book earlier today, which derives its importance from being release two weeks before the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting, and upon which policymakers depend for their policies to support the economy, while Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley spoke about the economic outlook and monetary policy at the City University of New York's Lehman College.

Dow Jones inched down 0.16%, or 38.56 points to 24,748.07, while Standard and Poor's 500 inched up 0.08%, or 2.25 points to 2,708.64. NASDAQ Composite edged up 0.19%, or 14.14 points to 7,295.24. 

Gold futures due on June 15 rose 0.13% to $1,351.30 an ounce from the opening of $1,349.50, while the dollar index added 0.13% to 89.63 from the opening of 89.52. 

US crude futures due on May 15 rallied 3.41% to $68.79 a barrel from the opening of $66.52, while Brent futures due on June 15 surged 3.12% to $73.81 a barrel from the opening of $71.58.