Dow Jones closes flat, Nasdaq rises after Fed minutes

Most of the US stock indices rose on Wednesday, after the release of conflicting economic data, and the Federal Reserve meeting minutes.

Data showed today that the second reading of the US GDP grew 2.1% in the third quarter, on par with forecasts.

The US Department of Labor revealed that the number of initial unemployment claims fell to 199K last week from 270K, better than forecasts of 259K.

The US durable goods orders index fell 0.5% last month, missing forecasts of a rise by 0.2%, and the core reading rose 0.5%, on par with forecasts.

The personal consumption expenditures index rose 0.5% in October, as the market expected for the second straight month.

The Fed's meeting minutes showed that the central bank is ready to raise interest rates if inflation continues to rise in the US.

To the oil market, WTI December futures fell 0.1% or 11 cents, and closed at $78.39 a barrel.

Brent January futures fell 0.1% or 6 cents, and closed at $82.25 a barrel.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell less than 0.1% or 9 points, and closed at 35,804, with a day high of 35,825, and a low of 35,591.

S&P 500 rose 0.2% or 10 points to 4,701, after hitting a high of 4,702 and a low of 4,659 points.

Nasdaq rose 0.4% or 70 points to 15,845, with a high of 15,848 and a low of 15,591.