US stocks wobble, led by weakness in the energy sector

NEW YORK (AP) – Stock indexes are slipping in midday trading, led by declines in energy companies as the price of oil turns lower.

Chevron fell 1 percent Wednesday, one of the biggest declines in the Dow Jones industrial average.

Some companies rose after reporting strong results. Michael Kors Holdings jumped 11 percent.

Asian markets closed higher on hopes that China’s financial markets would be opened further and after Japan Post soared in its market debut.

The Dow Jones industrial average was down 44 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,874 as of 11:45 a.m. Eastern time.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index gave up seven points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,102.

The Nasdaq composite declined eight points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,136.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.23 percent.