Dow, S&P 500 end higher; Cisco weighs on tech

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow and the S&P 500 eked out a slim gain on Thursday as investors dipped back into the market after a weak stretch, but a disappointing outlook from tech bellwether Cisco Systems and caution about Europe limited gains.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 19.98 points, or 0.16 percent, to end unofficially at 12,855.04. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 3.41 points, or 0.25 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,357.99. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 1.07 points, or 0.04 percent, to close unofficially at 2,933.64.

(Reporting By Caroline Valetkevitch)