Major Averages Holding Near The Unchanged Line In Early Trading

(RTTNews) - Following the strength seen in the previous session, stocks are turning in a lackluster performance in early trading on Friday. The major averages are lingering near the unchanged line after ending Thursday's trading modestly higher.

The choppy trading on Wall Street comes following the release of the Labor Department's closely watched report on consumer price inflation.

While the report said the headline consumer price index rose in line with economist estimates, core prices rose by more than expected.

Most of the major sectors are showing only modest moves, contributing to the lack of direction being shown by the broader markets.

Railroad and utilities stocks have moved to the downside, while some strength is visible among computer hardware stocks.

Currently, the major averages are turning in a mixed performance. While the Nasdaq is up 8.24 points or 0.2 percent at 5,099.04, the Dow is down 26.30 points or 0.1 percent at 18,259.44 and the S&P 500 is down 1.46 points or 0.1 percent at 2,129.36.