China tending to diminish the Dow's weight

In the world of finance, the Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a minor dip today, shedding six points or 0.04%, as of 2:15 p.m. EST. However, the retail sector is proving to be a beacon of hope, with Wal-Mart and Home Depot leading the charge.

Wal-Mart's stock had a positive day, gaining 1.4%, while Home Depot saw a 1.2% increase. This growth can be attributed to Home Depot's early boost last week, following its announcement of expectations that exceeded projections. The rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy have played a significant role in driving sales for the home improvement retailer.

Meanwhile, Wal-Mart's February sales are currently experiencing a "total disaster", according to some analysts. This could be a result of the ongoing subdued consumer spending, which, if persistent, could lead to further trouble for the retail giant.

The Chinese government's recent announcement of a plan to curb swelling housing prices could potentially impact the biggest industrial players and manufacturers, such as Caterpillar, Alcoa, and United Technologies. The plan includes enforcing 20% capital-gains taxes on sales of existing homes and introducing restrictions to purchasing new properties.

The moves by the Chinese government could negatively affect these industrial giants, particularly Alcoa, which has already lost more than 14% over the past year. The timing of these moves is particularly poor for Alcoa, as the company is already grappling with the challenges posed by the post-sequestration world.

Despite these losses, the Dow is holding steady above 14,000, a testament to its resilience in the face of bigger losses earlier in the week. The index is evenly split between gainers and losers, but the industrial sector's struggles are keeping the index muted.

In other news, Syvlia Matthews Burwell, the head of the Walmart Foundation, has been nominated by President Obama to lead the White House's Office of Management and Budget. The Motley Fool recommends Home Depot, but it's important to note that Fool contributor Dan Carroll has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool also has a disclosure policy.

The article "Why China's Weighing Down the Dow" originally appeared on Fool.com, providing a deeper dive into the impact of China's housing policies on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.