03:48 PM EDT, 07/17/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes were mixed ahead of Wednesday's close as markets analyzed comments by Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller and the latest batch of corporate earnings.

The Nasdaq Composite was down 2.6% at 18,033.8, while the S&P 500 fell 1.3% to 5,596.6. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.6% to 41,206.5. Among sectors, technology saw the steepest decline, down 3.5%, while consumer staples led the gainers.

Waller said the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee is "getting closer" to lowering its benchmark lending rate amid growing signs that inflation is easing, though the job is not done yet.

The US 10-year yield fell 1.7 basis points to 4.15%, while the two-year rate dropped 1 basis point to 4.43%.

Elevance Health ( ELV ) and Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) were among the major companies to report their latest quarterly financial results, with both topping Wall Street's views.

Crown Castle ( CCI ) , Kinder Morgan ( KMI ) and United Airlines (UAL) are scheduled to post results after the closing bell.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 2.6% to $82.89 a barrel.