Market Volatility Subsides Amidst Mixed Signals

Stocks End Modestly Lower After a Wild Day

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market ended a wild day of trading with a modest decline Wednesday, as investors digested a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2% to close at 32,899.45, while the S&P 500 lost 0.3% to finish at 4,164.48. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.4% to 12,144.41.

The day's trading was marked by sharp swings, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising as much as 1.1% and then falling as much as 0.7% at various points. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also experienced similar volatility.

The market's wild ride was sparked by a mix of factors, including concerns over the ongoing pandemic, tensions in the Middle East and the impact of a global supply chain crunch.

Investors were also reacting to a slew of economic reports, including a weaker-than-expected reading on the pace of inflation and a surprise increase in weekly jobless claims.

Despite the market's decline, some investors saw the day's trading as a buying opportunity.

"I think the market's reaction is a bit overdone," said Peter Tuchman, a portfolio manager at Gradient Investments. "The economy is still growing and the fundamentals are still strong. I think this is a chance to get in and buy some quality stocks at a discount."