U.S. markets mixed in midday trading

OPEC said in its Monthly Oil Market Report that demand was expected to grow by 900,000 barrels per day in 2010, an indication that global economies were poised for growth.

The report helped boost markets early, but the Dow Jones industrial average turned around, losing 1.36 points, 0.01 percent, to 10,563.02 in early afternoon trading.

Pulling the DJIA lower, shares of Caterpillar Inc. fell 0.78 percent, while Merck & Co. shares lost 0.97 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 0.31 percent, 3.57 points, to 1,144.02.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 0.62 percent, 14.60 points, to 2,355.28.

The benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note fell 6/32 to yield 3.723 percent.
The euro rose to $1.3641 from Tuesday's $1.36. Against the yen, the dollar rose to 90.56 yen from Tuesday's 89.98 yen.

In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index lost 0.04 percent, 3.73, to 10,563.92.

In London, the FTSE 100 index added 0.68 percent, 38.27, to 5,640.57.

Copyright 2010 United Press International