By Kate Gibson, MarketWatch
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks opened mostly higher
Monday, with the S&P 500 index struggling to extend gains into
a ninth session, after blue-chip equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.
reported a profitable quarter and as orders for durable goods
rose.
While the jump in durable-goods orders for Decemberis a welcome
one, the picture painted by Caterpillar's "telling you a little bit
more about the global story," said Dan Greenhaus, chief global
strategist at BTIG LLC.
After finishing above 1,500 last week for the first time since
December 2007, the S&P 500 (SPX) was off 1.02 points at
1,501.94.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) climbed 8.12 points to
1,304.30, with Caterpillar (CAT) leading gains that included half
of its 30 components.
The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) advanced 7.55 points to
3,157.26.
The Commerce Department reported orders for durable goods in the
U.S. climbed 4.6% last month.
Shares of Jos. A Bank Clothiers Inc. (JOSB) fell 15% after the
men's apparel maker late Friday projected yearly profit would
decline 20% from last year, with sales undercut by unseasonably
warm weather.
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