U.S. stocks pare losses to close nearly unchanged

NEW YORK (MarketWatch)
U.S. stocks closed nearly unchanged on Monday after posting six weeks of gains, as investors retreated to the sidelines ahead of housing data and the Federal Reserve's Aug. 1 meeting minutes due for release later in the week
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 3.56 points at 13,271.64, with American Express Co.  posting the biggest decline in the blue-chip index
The S&P 500 index  finished virtually unchanged at 1,418.13, compared with 1,418.16 on Friday
The Nasdaq Composite slipped less than a point to 3,076.21, compared with 3,076.59 on Friday