Stock market buyers stepped in again on Wednesday as the S&P 500 approached bear market territory.
The S&P 500 was up 0.2% in late morning trading, while the Dow was up 35 points, or 0.1%. The Nasdaq Composite was up 0.8%.
The S&P this week has repeatedly avoided closing in bear market territory after falling below the 4915.32 level that would represent a 20% decline from its Feb. 19 high.