The S&P 500 snapped a three-day losing streak Wednesday as investors digested third-quarter earnings and insights into when the Fed might taper its asset-purchase program.

The broad index closed 0.3% higher at 4,363.80, fluctuating between gains and losses throughout the session. 

Minutes released Wednesday afternoon from the Federal Open Market Committee's September meeting showed the central bank could begin tapering its asset-purchase program as soon as mid-November.

The September consumer price index released Wednesday morning jumped 0.4% from the month prior and 5.4% year over year, according to the Labor Department. Economists expected to see a month-to-month increase of 0.3% or annualized rate of 5.3%, according to Dow Jones.

E-Mini Nasdaq

U.S. stock futures were higher early Thursday morning after the S&P 500 snapped a three-day losing streak as companies kicked off the quarterly earnings season.

The major averages were little changed by the end of the regular session. The Nasdaq Composite ticked up 0.7%.

Despite Apple’s retreat, technology stocks enjoyed a lift Wednesday from a lower U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield. Low interest rates can push growth stock prices higher because they lift the value of companies’ future earnings. Investors tend to reach toward those high-margin technology shares when interest rates are low.

A relatively strong tech sector helped support the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500. Big Tech names Microsoft, Google-parent Alphabet and Amazon rose. Nvidia, Zoom and Salesforce also gained.

September producer price index data and weekly jobless claims will be released Thursday.