US stocks close mixed as tech losses offset broader market gains; oil prices fall

Stocks wavered to a mixed close on Wall Street Wednesday as technology stocks once again weighed down the market.

Declines for several influential tech heavyweights, including Microsoft, pulled the broader market lower even though most stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground.

The S&P 500 fell 7.24 points, or 0.1%, to 7,358.22, despite nearly 2 out of every 3 stocks gaining ground.

Another decline in oil prices helped ease concerns about inflation. Brent crude dropped 3.8%, bringing it closer to where it was before the war with Iran started.

Google parent Alphabet slipped. The company will replace Verizon in the Dow next week.