Prison operator GEO Group GEO.N fell about 19% after suspending quarterly dividend payments. By Shivani Kumaresan and Medha Singh April 7 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 and the Dow ticked higher on Wednesday, with financial stocks leading gains ahead of minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting that could offer clues on the central bank's views on inflation and an economic recovery. A strong monthly payrolls report, which helped the S&P 500 hit its fourth consecutive record high on Tuesday, is only a small step towards the central bank's threshold for considering tapering its massive support for the economy.