US STOCKS-Wall St slips from record levels, path to $2000 stimulus checks in focus

(For a Reuters live blog on U.S., UK and European stock markets, click LIVE/ or type LIVE/ in a news window)* Intel jumps on Third Point’s push to explore deal options* Boeing rises on first 737 MAX flight after safety ban* Snapchat-owner Snap Inc jumps on price target raise* Indexes down: Dow 0.2%, S&P 0.1%, Nasdaq 0.5% (Adds comment; updates share prices)Dec 29 (Reuters) – Wall Street’s main indexes eased from record highs in volatile trading on Tuesday as investors worried the U.S. Senate may not quickly pass the additional pandemic aid checks to help jobless Americans. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the chamber would address this week President Donald Trump’s call for an increase in stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000. Final passage of the proposal would require 60 votes and the backing of a dozen Republicans.McConnell’s comment comes a day after Democratic-led House of Representatives approved the move to bump up direct payments.“Most investors thought they had a clear idea of the government stimulus package, but it’s really up in the air to how it is going to be handled,” said Rick Meckler, partner, Cherry Lane Investments, a family investment office in New Vernon, New Jersey.Wall Street’s…
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