Tech leads stocks higher | Where did dividends go? | United potential job cuts

Stocks rose in volatile trading, with tech shares leading the way.

VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE WED, JUL 08, 2020 EVENING BRIEF AS OF WED, JUL 08, 2020 • 04:28 ET DJIA 26067.28 +0.68% +177.10 S&P 500 3169.94 +0.78% +24.62 NASDAQ 10492.50 +1.44% +148.61   Most Active DOW NAME LAST CHG %CHG BA 180.08 +1.20 +0.67% MSFT 212.83 +4.58 +2.20% AAPL 381.37 +8.68 +2.33% S&P 500 NAME LAST CHG %CHG TWTR 35.41 +2.42 +7.34% AAL 11.99 +0.08 +0.67% GE 6.86 +0.10 +1.48% NASDAQ NAME LAST CHG %CHG AAL 11.99 +0.08 +0.67% UAL 32.53 -0.02 -0.06% AMD 53.43 +0.50 +0.94% EDITOR'S NOTE Here's another bad sign for investors betting on a smooth reopening of the economy: with coronavirus cases back on the rise, Americans may be driving less.   CNBC's Nate Rattner writes that Apple Maps data is showing a slowdown in requests for driving directions. They reached a peak in early July but have dropped by 6% over the past few days, based on the change in a seven-day moving average.   It's a potential warning sign that the coronavirus is once again pushing down economic activity. And the trend is particularly pronounced in states with the biggest surges in new cases: Florida, Texas, California and Arizona. Stocks ended the day slightly higher Wednesday in a volatile trading session as investors continued to weigh rollbacks to reopening efforts. Tech shares drove the gains.   One clear casualty of the coronavirus pandemic has been dividends. CNBC's Jeff Cox writes that companies slashed dividends by a net $42.5 billion in the second quarter, marking the worst period for income investors since the financial crisis.   The worst of these cuts could be over, as long as the virus doesn't flare up too much, said Howard Silverblatt, senior index analyst at S&P Dow Jones Indices.   "If the overall reopening improves and regions act to limit any upturns, we would expect to see … a significant decrease in cuts," he said.   Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, and live business day programming from around the world. Al Lewis | CNBC Markets Editor @tellittoal TOP NEWS  Dow rises more than 150 points as Apple hits record, leads tech higher U.S. reports record single-day spike of 60,000 new coronavirus cases Trump threatens to cut funding for schools, slams CDC reopening guidelines as too tough and expensive United warns 36,000 employees of potential job cuts as pandemic roils travel demand Dividend payments plunge by $42.5 billion in worst quarter for income investors since financial crisis Track the latest coronavirus news here Apple Maps driving activity is slowing again in warning sign for the economy JPMorgan strategist Kolanovic, who called comeback, sees new highs ahead as hedge funds jump in Storied apparel brand Brooks Brothers files for bankruptcy as it seeks a buyer and closes dozens of stores Former Fox News anchor Shepard Smith joins CNBC as chief general news anchor with new evening show     TOP VIDEO Economic data suggests V-shaped recovery, says White House advisor Larry Kudlow   CNBC PRO JPMorgan upgrades controversial Nikola after 40% sell-off, says attractive for long-term investors   SPECIAL REPORTS A great market divergence: Traders break down the split in the S&P 500 Tesla is a 'stock you cannot fundamentally value,' trader says. Here's his strategy for its record climb   Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS