S&P 500, Nasdaq close slightly higher after soft services sectorThe S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed higher on Wednesday after data showing the U.S. services industry growth slowed further in March, but the advance was limited after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated a cut in interest was still not in sight.
Most of the major S&P 500 sectors advanced, led by gains in energy materials and communication services .
Powell reaffirmed in a speech on Wednesday that the Fed will stick to its wait-and-see approach as it considers when to start cutting rates given the continued strength of the U.S. economy and recent higher-than-expected inflation data.