The Dow turned higher in midday trading on Wednesday while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq pared losses, helped by gains in consumer discretionary shares and industrials.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.87 point, or 0.01 percent, at 12,398.25. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 0.71 point, or 0.06 percent, at 1,276.35. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 1.75 points, or 0.07 percent, at 2,646.97.

(Reporting By Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)