Global Stocks: U.S. stock indices little changed

U.S. stock indices little changed on Wednesday ahead of Thanksgiving Day. Total composite volume was 5.185 billion shares making Wednesday the fifth lowest volume session of 2015.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 1.20 points, or 0.01%, to 17,813.39. The S&P 500 edged down 0.27 points, or 0.01%, to 2,088.87. The Nasdaq Composite gained 13.34 point, or 0.26%, to 5,116.14.

The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that durable goods orders exceeded analysts' expectations in October driven by higher demand for transportation. Durable goods orders rose by 3.0% in October after a 0.8% decline in September (revised from -1.2%). Economists had expected a 1.5% rise.

Data from Markit Economics showed that the U.S. services sector continued expanding in November outpacing October. The preliminary Services PMI rose to 56.5 compared to October final reading of 54.8. The latest reading was the highest this year. Economists had expected the index to advance to 55.0.

This morning in Asia Hong Kong Hang Seng rose 0.85%, or 190.80, to 22,688.80. China Shanghai Composite Index climbed 0.42%, or 15.20, to 3.663.13. The Nikkei added 0.45%, or 89.21, to 19,936.79.

Asian indices rose. A weaker yen supported Japanese stocks.

However stocks of LCD screens suppliers for Apple fell after Nikkei said Apple plans to introduce organic light-emitting diode displays for iPhones in 2018.