U.S. stocks close lower for second time in three days after choppy session

U.S. stocks closed lower on Wednesday for the second time in three days after a choppy session as a rally inspired by softening inflation data appeared to take a breather. Market strategists cited concerns about Target Corp.’s
TGT,
-13.14%
earnings for helping to weigh on equity prices Wednesday. The S&P 500
SPX,
-0.83%
finished down 32.87 points, or 0.8%, to 3,958.86. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
DJIA,
-0.12%
was off 39.22 points, or 0.1%, to 33,553.70. The Nasdaq Composite
COMP,
-1.54%
closed off 174.75 points, or 1.5%, to 11,183.66.