Wall Street gains ground amid steady flow of earnings reports, upbeat economic updates

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks rose on Wall Street Wednesday as more U.S. companies turn in their latest quarterly reports and several economic updates shed some light on the U.S. economy.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 77 points, or 0.2%, as of 10:39 a.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite rose 0.6%.

The gains mark a reversal from the prior day's dip as big technology stocks once again lead the broader market. Several big industrial companies also helped lift the market. Companies from a broad spectrum of industries reported their latest financial results and gave updated forecasts.

McDonald’s rose 2.2% after reporting that its sales benefited from the return of its popular Snack Wraps in the third quarter. International Flavors & Fragrances jumped 5.9% after beating Wall Street's latest quarterly profit forecasts.

On the losing side, Taser maker Axon Enterprise slumped 14.4% after forecasting weaker profits than analysts were expecting. Live Nation Entertainment fell 6.4% after its latest results fell short of analysts' forecasts.

The latest round of earnings offers Wall Street a source of information on consumers, businesses and the economy that is otherwise lacking amid the government shutdown. Important monthly updates on inflation and employment have ceased, leaving investors, economists and the Federal Reserve without a fuller picture of the economy.

There are still several informative private economic updates that Wall Street can review.

A monthly report from ADP showed that private payrolls rose more than expected in October. The report offers a partial glimpse into the job market, which has been generally weakening and raising broader concerns about economic growth.

The services sector, which is the largest part of the U.S. economy, expanded in October more than Wall Street expected, according to the Institute for Supply Management. The report shows that while overall business activity grew, employment was still contracting.

A weaker job market remains a big concern for the Fed. The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market. Fed Chair Jerome Powell and several other Fed officials have expressed concerns about more rate cuts, as inflation remains stubbornly high and could be fueled by lowering rates.

The mix of a weaker job market and hot inflation leaves the Fed in a tough position.

“For Fed watchers, this ADP report should make it clear that a December rate cut is now in play,” said Jamie Cox, managing partner for Harris Financial Group, in a note to investors. “We are nearing stall speed in the labor market, and that will get the Fed’s attention.”