U.S. equity markets ended mixed on Wednesday as investors analyzed a resurgence of coronavirus cases.

The Nasdaq posted a modest gain of 0.15 percent as Apple and Amazon flirted with record highs. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 170 points or 0.65 percent while the S&P slipped 0.36 percent.

Wednesday's advance comes after Fed Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the need for the U.S. government to potentially do more to support the overall economic recovery. The major averages recorded sharp gains the previous session as the May retail sales report posted the biggest monthly advance on record following historic declines in March and April.

A cluster of new infections in Beijing caused authorities on Wednesday to order the lockdown of residential communities in China’s capital city. Here at home, case counts in a number of states, including Arizona, Florida and Texas, have reached new highs.

Looking at stocks, cruise operators, airlines and other travel-related names remained in focus as the surge in cases puts the pace of reopening in question.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings extended the suspension of most voyages through September. The company had previously announced the cancelation of trips through July.

Meanwhile, Southwest Airlines said in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it will keep middle seats open through at least September. Based on July bookings, the airline sees operating revenue falling 65 percent to 70 percent year-over-year. Read more at FOX News