US blue chips were lower on Wednesday in a market buffeted by concerns over the toll Hurricane Katrina took on the US Gulf Coast and faced with economic data suggesting a slowing economy.
Oil company shares, including Exxon Mobil Corp, were the day's biggest gainers, while insurance companies, including American International Group Inc, were lower over concerns underwriters could be on the hook for up to $25 billion in claims.
The Dow Jones industrial average was down 19.35 points, or 0.19 percent, at 10,393.47. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 0.22 points, or 0.02 percent, at 1,208.19. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index was up 0.03 points, or 0.00 percent, at 2,129.79.