https://apnews.com/7ca8d4825c594149926242024bb9d605

Major U.S. stock indexes edged mostly higher in midday trading Wednesday as gains in financial companies outweighed losses elsewhere in the market. Bond yields climbed to the highest level in four months, sending bank shares higher and weighing on utilities and other high-dividend payers. Energy stocks rose along with crude oil prices. Homebuilders declined following a mixed batch of housing data. Technology companies lagged the most.

KEEPING SCORE: The S&P 500 index rose 5 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,909 as of 12:10 p.m. Eastern Time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 197 points, or 0.8 percent, to 26,444. The Nasdaq composite lost 15 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,940. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies gave up 1 point, or 0.1 percent, to 1,709. Decliners were edging out gainers on the New York Stock Exchange.