Percent and Book

percent wednesday: The S&P 500 edged up 0.29 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,152.43, according to Xinhua China. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 17.09 points, or 0.34 percent, to 5,005.73. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 24.45 points, or 0.13 percent, to 18,372.12. According to the Fed Beige Book released in the afternoon, reports from the 12 Federal Reserve Districts indicated that economic activity has expanded in nine of the Districts since the previous Beige Book report and contacts in Boston were described as upbeat. Meanwhile, oil prices were also in focus, which plunged about 4 percent Wednesday following previous day solid gains, as official data showed a smaller-than-expected U.S. crude inventory draw for last week. Analysts thought that the Beige Book showed U.S. economy was growing steadily, but not at a pace where the Fed would feel comfortable raising rates in the near future. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.