Shares of industrial and transportation companies rose, but not by as much as the broad market, as investors rotated back into faster-growing sectors of the market.

Boston Federal Reserve President Eric Rosengren said a recent slowdown in U.S. economic activity is likely to persist because of difficulties states have encountered in suppressing the coronavirus pandemic. It's the latest warning from a leading economic authority that setbacks in public health are likely to cause ripple effects in economic growth.

Still, legislators are showing no signs of progress on a second coronavirus-relief bill as a dayslong standoff between Democrats and Republicans continued Wednesday, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warning that the two sides remain "miles apart." 



  Write to Rob Curran at rob.curran@dowjones.com