DuPont Falls After Proxy Fight; Ralph Lauren Hit By Currency Woes

Stocks hovered at the flatline in midday trading Wednesday, giving up an earlier rally after April's retail sales disappointed and March business inventories came in under forecasts. DuPont (DD) fell after no Trian Fund Management nominees were elected to the board. Activist investor Nelson Peltz of Trian had vied for a seat. The company had previously rejected his demands to split the company in two. General Electric (GE) shares were on watch on news the company is reportedly putting its $5 billion Japanese commercial finance division up for sale. Ralph Lauren (RL) was lower after offering weak full-year guidance. The retailer said a stronger U.S. dollar was hurting international sales.