Stocks edge lower on Wall Street; investors review earnings

Stocks edged lower in afternoon trading on Wall Street as investors review the latest corporate earnings and prepare for higher interest rates.

The S&P 500 fell 0.3%, the Nasdaq fell 0.3% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%.

The major indexes bounced between gains and losses throughout the day, with technology stocks again giving direction to the broader market.

UnitedHealth Group, Bank of America and Procter & Gamble all rose after reporting encouraging financial results.

Bond yields fell. Communications companies and makers of household goods and consumer products gained ground.