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From Briefing.com: Broader market action took the Dow and S&P higher on the day, with the Nasdaq finishing in the red. The S&P 500 closed with the strongest gains today, up 4.05 points (+0.20%) to 2016.71. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed up 9.72 points (+0.06%) to 17158.66, and the Nasdaq Composite edged lower by 11.66 points (-0.24%) to 4891.43. Weakness in Asia again pressured US markets as the Shanghai Composite was again the subject of volatility. The index closed down -0.3%, trading up and down all day as the People's Bank of China injected $20 billion in cash through open market operations.

When the bell rang, the Technology (XLK 42.16, -0.11 -0.26%) sector finished modestly lower. Action managed to come briefly into positive territory twice on the session, after the initial opening market action, spending most of the afternoon session in the red. E-commerce name Amazon (AMZN 633.79, -3.20 -0.50%) revealed the success of Cyber Monday, on which the company saw orders of about 23 million items worldwide, a 40% increase. Also underway today in the tech sector was the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The event is basically an electronics trade show where companies can interact directly with the consumers through previewing new products and the announcement of new products, and this year runs through January 9. Other sectors closed the session IYZ +0.85%, XLU +0.72%, XLP +0.64%, XLV +0.48%, XLF +0.39%, XLE +0.38%, XLI +0.27%, XLB -0.05%, XLY -0.13% as Telecoms led the advance and Tech led the decline.

Particularly strong today, Social Media (SOCL 19.48, +0.18 +0.93%) names finished with gains as reports from Re/Code suggested component Twitter (TWTR 21.92, -0.64 -2.84%) may expand the character limit to 10,000. Also from TWTR, through the company's blog, announced Conversational Ads whereby advertisers can engage further with customers through 'call to action' buttons. Other SOCL names which displayed relative strength included GRPN +4.51%, YHOO +2.55%, LNKD +1.53%, YY +1.45%, YNDX +1.25%, NTES +1.01%, SINA +0.77%, FB +0.50% GOOGL +0.28%.

Also weak today was the S&P 500 Information Technology sector (707.25, -3.01 -0.42%) which finished in the red like the broader market. Most notably today, shares of Apple (AAPL 102.71, -2.64 -2.50%) were weaker as a Nikkei article out midday suggested Q1 iPhone 6S and 6S Plus production could be cut by 30%. Other components which displayed relative weakness today included QRVO -6.29%, SWKS -5.95%, AVGO -3.35%, VRSN -3.03%, TDC -2.78%, NTAP -2.38%, QCOM -1.96%, BRCM -1.95%, CSC -1.86%, EA -1.75%.

Other notable news items among sector components:
A Nikkei article highlighting the possibility that Apple's (AAPL) Q1 iPhone 6S and 6S Plus production could be cut by 30% took the stock lower today.

Amphenol (APH 50.30, -0.57 -1.12%) disclosed it entered into the amendment agreement related to acquisition of Fidji Luxembourg Sarl which received antitrust approval from the People's Republic of China on December 28, 2015.

Activision Blizzard (ATVI 37.14, -0.48 -1.28%) announced the acquisition of the business of Major League Gaming, a company that streams premium live gaming events; terms not disclosed.

Nvidia (NVDA 32.89, +0.52 +1.61%) launched NVIDIA DRIVE PX 2 -- the world's most powerful engine for in-vehicle artificial intelligence. The NVIDIA DRIVE PX 2 allows the automotive industry to use artificial intelligence to tackle the complexities inherent in autonomous driving.

Harman (HAR 96.00, +2.89 +3.10%) announced a connected car collaboration with Microsoft (MSFT 55.05, +0.25 +0.46%) at CES 2016. This project will introduce new mobile productivity services, as well as utilize existing products, services and technologies, including cloud platforms, telematics and driver productivity, to offer better convenience, safety and reliability for drivers and greater operating efficiency for auto manufacturers.

Nissan Motor (NSANY 20.60, +0.15 +0.73%) and Microsoft (MSFT) announced that all Nissan LEAF models and Infiniti models in Europe will have Connect Telematics Systems by Microsoft Azure. Nissan CTS is coupled to Azure, allowing a remote connection to the vehicle.

VMware (VMW 57.02, +0.69 +1.23%) announced an expansion of its collaboration with Intel Security (INTC 33.83, -0.16 -0.47%) to include joint solutions for customers using the AirWatch by VMware Enterprise Mobility Management platform.

Elsewhere in the technology space:

Amazon (AMZN) announced that more than 23 million items were ordered worldwide from sellers on Amazon on Cyber Monday, +40% increase year-over-year.
According to a Re/Code article, social media name Twitter (TWTR) may expand its character limit to 10,000. Also, per the company's blog, details about a new advertising system were revealed. Conversational Ads were announced which use a 'call to action' button to engage customers.

Avid Tech (AVID 7.71, +0.33 +4.47%) anticipates its Q4 bookings will come in at $191 million exceeding expectations.

AT&T (T 34.59, +0.24 +0.70%) extended exclusive agreement with BMW (BAMXY 33.02, -0.66 -1.96%), and announced a partnership with Ford (F 13.72, -0.25 -1.79%).

General Motors (GM 32.43, -0.88 -2.64%) is exploring a new mapping technology from Mobileye (MBLY 36.12, -3.82 -9.56%) that could use crowd-sourced real-time data collected by OnStar for precise localization and high-definition lane data that supports fully autonomous driving.

WEX (WEX 81.70, -3.70 -4.33%) disclosed that it and Electronic Funds Source have each received a second request from the FTC in relation to their pending merger.

Orange (ORAN 16.53, -0.09 -0.54%) confirmed renewed discussions with the Bouygues Telecom.

Checkpoint Systems (CKP 6.14, +0.09 +1.49%) announced that effective January 1, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer Farrokh Abadi was no longer with the company.

SunEdison Semiconductor (SEMI 7.28, -0.47 -6.06%) disclosed an amended credit agreement.

Audiocodes (AUDC 4.12, +0.05 +1.23%) acquired Active Communications Europe.

Analyst actions:

JNPR was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank,
EQIX was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Stifel,
FLIR was upgraded to Strong Buy from Outperform at Raymond James,
TSS was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse;
JNPR and FFIV were downgraded to Perform from Outperform at Oppenheimer,
MSI and JNPR were downgraded to Mkt Perform from Outperform at Bernstein,
VRSN was downgraded to Sell from Neutral at Citigroup,
AEIS was downgraded to Outperform from Strong Buy at Raymond James,
TTEC was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Sun Trust Rbsn Humphrey

4:20 pm : The stock market endured a shaky session on Tuesday with the S&P 500 trading inside a 16-point range. The benchmark index spent some time in negative territory, but settled within the upper-end of its trading range, adding 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (-0.2%) underperformed throughout the entire day.

A defensive pre-market affair focused on the Asian session, during which the Shanghai Composite lost 0.3% despite a $20 billion infusion from the People's Bank of China through open market operations. Oil was able to muster an uptick that coincided with a rebound in European indices, but the energy component was unable to maintain that price level.

Equity indices at home began their day higher as the stock market looked to rebound from its poor start to 2016. This rally was short-lived, however, as continued pressure in oil would contribute to a choppy day for the major averages. WTI crude remained weak into the pit close, ending lower by 2.3% at $35.95/bbl.

The countercyclical sectors topped the leaderboard with telecom services (+1.0%), utilities (+0.8%), consumer staples (+0.7%) and health care (+0.6%) ending in the lead while technology (-0.4%), consumer discretionary (-0.2%), materials (UNCH), and industrials (+0.2%) rounded out the sectors.

Looking at health care, the sector was helped by large-cap constituents Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY 68.35, +1.32) and Eli Lilly (LLY 84.11, +1.24) as the two posted respective gains of 2.0% and 1.5%. Interestingly, Eli Lilly rallied despite lowering its guidance for 2016. Elsewhere in the space, biotechnology underperformed evidenced by iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB 326.96, +0.09). The ETF neared its 50-day average, hitting a high of 330.97, before retreating with the broader market after the open. The biotech ETF ended the day unchanged after being up 1.3% at the start.

In technology, Apple (AAPL 102.71, -2.64) plummeted 2.6% after Nikkei reported Apple is expected to reduce iPhone 6s and 6s Plus production by 30% in Q1. Elsewhere in the sector, the news weighed on high-beta chipmakers, sending the PHLX Semiconductor Index lower by 1.0%. The index was hurt by poor performances from Avago Technologies (AVGO 137.52, -4.76) and Skyworks Solutions (SWKS 73.29, -4.64) as the two declined 3.4% and 6.0%, respectively.

Treasuries traded near their highs during the retreat from the opening highs in the stock market, but the 10-yr note ended flat with its yield unchanged at 2.25%.

Today's participation was a bit below average as fewer than 850 million shares changed hands at the NYSE floor.

Investors did not receive any economic data of note today, but tomorrow the weekly MBA Mortgage Index will be released at 7:00 ET while the ADP Employment Change for December (Briefing.com consensus 190k) will cross the wires at 8:15 ET. The Trade Balance for November (Briefing.com consensus -$44.70 billion) will be released at 8:30 ET while Factory Orders for November (Briefing.com consensus -0.2%) and December ISM Services (Briefing.com consensus 56.4) will both be reported at 10:00 ET. The day's data will be topped off by the 14:00 ET release of the FOMC Minutes from the December policy meeting.

Nasdaq -2.3%
Russell 2000 -2.2%
Dow Jones -1.5%
S&P 500 -1.3%

DJ30 +9.72 NASDAQ -11.66 SP500 +4.05 NASDAQ Adv/Vol/Dec 1508/1.755 bln/1378 NYSE Adv/Vol/Dec 1811/838.0 mln/1275

3:40 pm :

The dollar index continues to trade higher, which is helping weigh on commodities and commodity-related stocks
The dollar index is +0.5% at 99.40 in current activity
In energy, front-month Feb crude oil finished the day -2.3% at $35.95/barrel
In other energy, Feb natural gas futures closed -0.4% at $2.32/MMBtu, but is now back at the unchanged line
Feb gold gained $2.80 to $1078.30/oz today, while Mar silver rose 0.9% at $13.98/oz
Copper held gains, closing the session +1%.

3:02 pm Synaptics down almost -10% as Apple supplier concerns arise today, tests the $70-mark this afternoon (SYNA) : Other names under pressure include SWKS -6%, CRUS -7%, AVGO -3.7%, INVN -5%, QCOM -2%, ARMH -2%, NXPI -2.7%, TXN -1.4%

Analyst comments: FSLR +4.3% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman),JCP +1.9% (upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Citigroup),CLR +1.5% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill),CLNE +1.4% (upgraded to Mkt Perform from Underperform at Raymond James),FMS +1.3% (upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS),RLYP +0.7% (initiated with a Buy at BTIG Research)

8:11 am Broadcom (being acquired by Avago (AVGO) announces new chips at CES (BRCM) : Broadcom (BRCM, being acquired by Avago AVGO) announced the industry's highest performing Near Field Communications (:NFC) controller -- the BCM20797, its latest and lowest power Wi-Fi/Bluetooth combo chip for mobile platforms and accessories -- the BCM43012 delivers up to 3X longer battery life compared to Broadcom's previous combo chips and the industry's first 64bit quad-core processor for high-end routers -- BCM4908.

7:37 am Fairchild Semi Board determines revised unsolicited proposal from China Resources and Hua Capital of $21.70/share in cash would reasonably be expected to result in a 'Superior Proposal' (FCS) : Co Board, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, has determined that a revised unsolicited proposal received on December 28, from China Resources Microelectronics and Hua Capital Management to acquire Fairchild for $21.70/share in cash would reasonably be expected to result in a "Superior Proposal" as defined in the co's Agreement and Plan of Merger with ON Semiconductor (ON).