Major US stock indexes finished trading with a moderate decrease

Major US stock indexes fell modestly on Thursday, a day after the Dow and S & P reached their record highs, as investors assessed mixed quarterly results of companies, as well as upbeat economic data.

The focus of investors were shares of American Express Company (AXP), Intel (INTC), General Motors (GM) and Travelers (TRV). The first two reported after the end of yesterday's session. Declassified reports from companies were mixed. American Express showed a quarterly profit of $ 2.10 per share, which is $ 0.36 higher than the average forecast of analysts. At the same time the company's revenue was $ 8.235 billion, which is less than analysts had forecast $ 8.342 billion. Earnings from Intel to $ 0.59 per share, topping analysts' average forecast of $ 0.06. The company's revenue increased by 2.6% compared to the same period last year to $ 13.533 billion, which is almost coincided with the average forecast of analysts. Revenue and net profit of General Motors exceeded the average expectations of analysts: the company's profit amounted to $ 1.86 per share versus $ 1.29 in the second quarter of 2015 and the average analyst forecast of $ 1.51; the company's revenue was $ 42.40 billion, which is 11% more, and 13.6% higher than the average forecast of analysts.

With regard to statistics, the report submitted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, showed that the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector unexpectedly fell in July, reaching a level of 2.9 points compared with 4.7 points in June. Economists had expected an increase of this indicator to the level of +5 points.

In addition, initial applications for state unemployment benefits fell by 1000 and to reach a seasonally adjusted 253,000 for the week ended July 16th. This is the lowest value since April. The data for the previous week were not revised.

However, according to the National Association of Realtors, home sales in the secondary market rose by 1.1% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate reached 5.57 million in June from a revised level of 5.51 with a decrease in May.

Almost all the components of DOW index showed a decline (26 of 30). Outsiders were shares of Intel Corporation (INTC, -4,31%). Most remaining shares rose McDonald's Corp. (MCD, + 0,83%).

Almost all sectors of the S & P ended the day in negative territory. The leader turned utilities sector (+ 0.5%). The decline led by industrial goods sector (-0.6%).

At the close:

Dow -0.42% 18,517.23 -77.80

Nasdq -0.31% 5,073.90 -16.03

S & P -0.36% 2,165.16 -7.86