U.S. stock markets barely moved on Monday, but they eventually managed to post slight gains as a lack of economic news kept investors away from the trading floors. Even the announcements of several multibillion-dollar mergers-including Washington Mutual Incorporated's planned takeover of Providian Financial Corporation-did little to encourage buying as questions about the health of the economy and the future of oil prices went unanswered. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 6.06 points, or 0.1 percent, to 10,467.03. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up 1.49 points, or 0.1 percent, at 1,197.51, and the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index gained 4.33, or 0.2 percent, to 2,075.76. The price of light, sweet crude for July delivery declined $0.54, or 0.98 percent, to $54.49 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The New York Stock Exchange composite increased 15.28 points, or 0.21 percent, closing at 7,184.49, and the Russell 2000 index increased 2.64 points, or 0.43 percent, to close at 622.94. The American Stock Exchange also rose 8.71 points to close at 1,511.51.
