The US stock indices closed mixed Monday’s session, characterized by the lowest volume in this year.
The Dow Jones industrial average lost 1.14 points, or 0.01%, to 10,302.01. it was the fifth sequential decline of the DJIA. During last five sessions, the index fell by 3.7%. The Standard & Poor's 500 index increased by 0.13 point, or 0.01%, to 1,079.38 points. The rise stopped the dip which was observed within 4 days. The tech-heavy Nasdaq stock index gained 8.39 points, or 0.39%, to 2,181.87. It was first time growth after five sessions.
Manufacturing giant 3M was the measure's worst performer, falling 58 cents, or 0.7%, to $83.43 after the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's survey of manufacturing in the New York area showed weaker-than-expected growth. Boeing equities also weakened, sliding 44 cents, or 0.7%, to $64.40.
Technology companies jumped on Monday, boosted by excitement over computer giant Dell's acquisition of small-cap storage technology firm 3Par. Amid this report shares in Cisco Systems rose by 55 cents, or 2.6%, to $21.91. Intel stocks increased by 32 cents, or 1.7%, to $19.47.
Investors largely shrugged off the day's disappointing reports on the US manufacturing, the US homebuilders' index and Japan's gross domestic product.
Market watchers are also scrutinizing quarterly earnings reports on Tuesday from retail giants Wal-Mart and Home Depot for clues about the strength of the consumer demand. Wal-Mart edged higher Monday, closing up 1 cent to $50.41. Shares in Home Depot advanced 7 cents, or 0.3%, to $27.38.
Lowe's boosted by 11 cents, or 0.6%, to $19.70 after its fiscal second-quarter earnings increased 9.6%. Lowe's maintained a cautious outlook for the current quarter and full year, citing uncertainty about consumers' moves from here, but several brokerage firms said results weren't as bad as feared.
