The S&P 500 was down 0.1% in midday trading to 2,748.63.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat at 25,391.49.
The Nasdaq declined 0.3% to 7,143.29.
The yield on a 10-year Treasury bond climbed 0.8% to 2.57%.
The price of gold was 0.4% higher at $1,320.
REAL ESTATE
CalAtlantic Group Inc. (NYSE: CAA) in Irvine was up 1.8% to $60.82 and a $6.7 billion market cap. The home builder and developer reported selected results for its fourth quarter and full year: CalAtlantic said net new orders, backlog, and backlog margins improved and incentives offered declined.
The news came ahead of Lennar’s acquisition, expected to close this quarter. CalAtlantic trades in sympathy with Lennar, which is buying CalAtlantic with Lennar stock. Lennar (NYSE: LEN) is up 20% since announcing the deal Oct. 30.
HEALTHCARE
Biomerica Inc. (Nasdaq: BMRA) in Irvine was up 39% to $6.10 and a $52 million market cap. China health authorities approved a colorectal screening test from the company, Biomerica said.
