The Dow and the Nasdaq erased gains and turned negative during early-morning trade on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 6.51 points, or 0.05 percent, at 12,182.18. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 1.84 points, or 0.14 percent, at 1,298.51. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dipped 5.55 points, or 0.20 percent, at 2,723.76.

(Reporting by Angela Moon)