Three of every five S&P 500 stocks rose, but sharp losses in heavyweight tech names still dragged indexes lower: Micron sank 10.6%, AMD 6.9% and Nvidia 1.3%, leaving the Nasdaq down 0.7%.
A weaker-than-expected ISM manufacturing report helped the market cut an earlier 0.7% slide by suggesting slower price pressures; the 10-year Treasury yield retreated to 4.47% from near 4.50%.
General Mills jumped 8.5% after beating quarterly expectations and unveiling a $3 billion cost-cutting plan, while Nike gained 4.9% and Kroger rose 1.3% after agreeing to buy Giant Eagle for $1.25 billion plus $400 million in liabilities.
Brent crude fell 1.9% to $71.57 on hopes the U.S. and Iran could end their war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while gold rebounded 1.1% to $4,082.40 as yields eased.