US stocks were little changed on Wednesday as an unexpected rise in October wholesale inventories was offset by continued concerns on foreign debt and a weak outlook in the tech sector. Gains were limited by concerns over the credit ratings of Greece and Spain and an outlook from Texas Instruments Inc, as chip makers are generally considered one of the first sectors to recover from recession.
The S&P Energy index rose 0.4 percent and was the percentage leader among S&P sectors. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 13.52 points, or 0.14 percent, to 10,299.87. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was unchanged at 1,091.93. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 2.10 points, or 0.10 percent, at 2,170.91. The Nasdaq was pressured a day after Texas Instruments gave a fourth-quarter earnings view that disappointed some investors who had hoped for a stronger outlook on signs of improving demand. The stock fell 2.6 percent to $25.65.