US stocks barely budge ahead of Thanksgiving

NEW YORK — Stock indexes are holding near record levels as traders digest some mixed news on the U.S. economy.

New claims for unemployment benefits rose unexpectedly, but consumer spending rose.

Deere fell 2.5 percent in early trading after the maker of farming equipment predicted that its sales and profits will keep falling in its new fiscal year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose a point, less than 0.1 percent, to 2,068 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell a point, less than 0.1 percent, to 17,813. The Nasdaq composite rose three points, less than 0.1 percent, to 4,761.

U.S. markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.24 percent.