U.S. stocks closed mixed Wednesday after struggling to stay positive amid firming oil prices, moderate housing data, and some debate over Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen's congressional testimony. In U.S. economic news, new single-family home sales in January fell a less-than-expected 0.2 percent to 481,000 and supply rose to its highest level since 2010, hopeful signs for the sluggish housing market. The Energy Information Administration reported that weekly crude inventories rose 8.4 million barrels, more than expected. The figures were in-line with Tuesday's American Petroleum Institute report of 8.9 million barrels. The dollar edged lower against major world currencies. Light sweet crude oil for April delivery gained $1.71 to $50.99 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while gold futures increased $4.20 to $1,201.50 an ounce. The Dow Jones industrial average added 15.38, or 0.08 percent, to 18,224.57. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index declined 1.62, or 0.08 percent, to 2,113.86. The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index fell 0.98, or 0.02 percent, to 4,967.14.
