Bank of America, HP, United Technologies: Dow Movers

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The major U.S. equity indices eked out gains on Wednesday with the European Central Bank divided about the debt restructuring needed in order for Greece to receive another round of bailout money.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 5.75 points, or 0.04%, to 12,883.95 on Wednesday. The S&P 500 increased 2.91 points to 1,349.96 and the Nasdaq Composite posted an 11.78 point gain to close at 2,915.86.

Breadth within the Dow was positive with 16 of the index's 30 components posting gains on Wednesday. Both Alcoa(AA) and Verizon(VZ) ended Wednesday flat.

The biggest Dow gainers were Bank of America(BAC), HP(HPQ) and United Technologies(UTX).

Bank of America shares rose 3.57% to $8.13. Analyst Dick Bove of Rochdale Securities said earlier this week the bank's shares are about three to four years away from $30.

TheStreet Ratings gives Bank of America a D grade and sell rating.

United Technologies' shares increased 1.82% to $81.74. United Technologies' Chief Financial Officer Greg Hayes said that the company is more apt to sell off business lines rather than issue stock to finance its Goodrich acquisition, The Associated Press reported Wednesday.

TheStreet Ratings gives United Technologies a B+ grade and $92.42 price target.

Shares of HP increased 1.76% to $29.46. TheStreet Ratings gives HP a C grade and hold rating.

The biggest Dow decliners were Home Depot(HD), American Express(AXP) and Exxon Mobil(XOM). Each stock posted a loss of less than 1%.

Shares of Exxon Mobil fell 55 cents to $85.32. Exxon Mobil shares went ex-dividend Wednesday, which means that investors had to purchase shares Tuesday to qualify for the next dividend payment. The energy company's forward annual dividend yield is 2.2%.

TheStreet Ratings gives Exxon Mobil a B+ grade and $103 price target.

Shares of Home Depot dropped 29 cents to $45.17. The stock hit a 52-week high Tuesday of $45.58.

Home Depot gets an A+ grade from TheStreet Ratings with a $54.08 price target.

American Express shares declined 49 cents to $51.64. TheStreet Ratings gives American Express an A grade with a $65.58 price target on the stock.

--Written by Alexandra Zendrian in New York.

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