Communications services companies were flat as investors hedged their bets on the outlook for U.S. economic activity.

Tribune Publishing said it has appointed Randall Smith, the co-founder of Alden Global Capital, to its board, giving the hedge fund further oversight of the newspaper company and extending a standstill agreement between them that would prevent Alden from making a hostile bid for the company.

Simon & Schuster can move forward with plans to release a tell-all book by President Donald Trump's niece after a New York appellate judge overturned a temporary restraining order against the publisher. 


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