Wall Street ends mixed, with NASDAQ, S&P falling, Dow rising

US stock indices closed the fourth session of the week mixed after wide swings up and down, with uncertainty ruling after reports that US President Trump seeks to impose new tariffs on $60 billion worth of Chinese imports, rekindling fears of trade wars. 

New White house Economic Adviser Larry Cudlow said that China hasn't followed trade rules for a long time, expressing his belief that trade tariffs won't harm the economy. 

Earlier US data showed unemployment claims fell 4 thousand to 226 thousand from 230 thousand in the previous report, below forecasts of 227 thousand, while the Philly Manufacturing Index slowed down to 22.3 from 25.8 in February, missing expectations of 23.1. 

The Empire State Manufacturing Index rose to 22.5 from 13.1, beating expectations of 14.9, while import prices slowed down to 0.4% from 0.8% in January, beating forecasts of 0.3%. 

Dow Jones rose 0.47%, or 115.54 points to 24,873,66, while Standard and Poor's 500 shed 0.08%, or 2.15 points to 2,747.33, as NASDAQ Composite shed 0.20%, or 15.07 points to 7,481.74. 

Gold futures due on April 15 slid 0.72% to $1,316.10 an ounce from the opening of $1,325.60, while the dollar index rose 0.50% to 90.15 from the opening of 89.70. 

Otherwise, US crude futures rose 0.41% to $61.21 a barrel from the opening of $60.96, while Brent futures due on May 15 climbed 0.32% to $65.10 a barrel from the opening of $64.89.