laced Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 2 points, or 0.11 percent, to 1,885. Dow component Procter & Gamble, a maker of Tide laundry detergent and dozens of other household and personal products, reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit. The company's stock rose $1.25, or 2 percent, to $53.40 on the New York Stock Exchange. But education stocks took a hit, keeping the Nasdaq in negative territory until it edged up in early afternoon trade, after Corinthian Colleges Inc. lowered its quarterly earnings forecast. Corinthian Colleges plunged $8.13, or 43 percent, to $10.59 on the Nasdaq. Apollo Group Inc. fell $8.15 or almost 10 percent, to $75.40 on the Nasdaq. Career Education Group tumbled $4.41, or 13 percent, to $29.40 on the Nasdaq. A government report showing manufacturing growth added some bright spots to an otherwise dark morning. The Institute for Supply Management said U.S. manufacturing expanded in July for a 14th straight month, matching analysts' expectations. But in another report, the government said outlays for U.S. construction fell unexpectedly in June as spending on housing dropped for the first time in 16 months.
