Midday Report: Goodyear Ups Dividend; U.S. Stocks Rise as Rate Hike Chances Fall

U.S. stocks climbed following a storm of U.S. economic data that undercut the chances of a rate hike when the Federal Reserve meets next week. Retail sales, producer prices and industrial production in August each came in weaker than expected. Goodyear Tire  (GT) - Get Report rose after upping its dividend by 43% to $0.10 a share. The dividend is part of a plan to return as much as $4 billion in capital to shareholders. The auto parts company also increased financial targets through to 2020. Apparel retailer VF Corp (VFC) - Get Report fell after a two-notch downgrade to UNDERPERFORM at Bank of America. The firm said it has a more tempered outlook for VF Corp's outdoor and action brands. AMC Networks (AMCX) - Get Report was downgraded to HOLD from BUY at Stifel. Analysts said The Walking Dead network has been under ratings pressure so far this year, a trend they expect will continue. TheStreet's Keris Lahiff has details from Wall Street.