S&P falters as banks weigh; CAT helps Dow

26/04/2010 - 20:10

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The S&P 500 edged lower on Monday as bank shares fell on fears that financial reform making its way through Congress will curb profits, while Caterpillar's strong results buoyed the Dow.

The Dow Jones industrial average ended just above break-even, up 0.75 of a point, or 0.01 percent, at 11,205.03, based on the latest available figures. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index slipped 5.23 points, or 0.43 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,212.05. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 7.20 points, or 0.28 percent, to close unofficially at 2,522.95.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Jan Paschal)