U.S. Stocks Mostly Lower as IBM, Oil Prices Weigh

Wall Street finished mostly lower, with IBM and oil prices weighing on the Dow Jones industrial average. Investors priced in the newest round of earnings and are also focused on France, with the country's presidential election drawing close.

The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 0.58 percent at 20,404.49, as IBM led losses while Merck outperformed. The S&P 500 slipped 0.17 percent at 2,338.17, with energy leading seven sectors down and healthcare being the top gainer. The Nasdaq composite added 0.23 percent at 5,863.03.

IBM plunged 4.9 percent to $161.69 following its larger-than-expected decline in revenue for the first time in five quarters. The energy sector tumbled 1.4 percent for its fifth slip in six sessions with oil prices settling almost four percent down.

Financials traded higher earlier in the session after Morgan Stanley reported a strong first-quarter as its fixed-income trading revenue doubled year over year. The lender's results climbed to the top of Wall Street expectations, in contrast to Goldman Sachs that surprised investors with weak earnings and revenue. Shares of Morgan Stanley climbed two percent.

Intuitive Surgical jumped 6.4 percent at $807.94 to help raise the Nasdaq after the firm posted higher-than-expected first-quarter revenue and profit. The stock is on course for its best day in almost two years.

News are provided by InstaForex