U.S. stocks struggled to make.......>

US STOCKS CLOSE: U.S. stocks struggled to make topside progress at the start of

a new week.

- The S&P 500 closed up 0.12% a 2,428.37, after trading in a 2,417.35 to

2,430.58 range. The earlier low was the lowest since July 11, when the index

bottomed at 2,412.79.

- At Monday's close, the index was up 8.5% year-to date and down 2.5% from the

life-time intraday high of 2,490.87, seen August 8.

- Market players were also keeping an eye on the Russell 2000 index, which often

leads larger stock swings.

- The index, closing down 0.07% at 1,356.90, posted a low of 1,349.35 Friday,

which was the lowest level since April 17, when the Russell 2000 bottomed at

1,345.363.

- The Russell 200 remained below its 200-day moving average, currently around

1,376, which pointed to still lower levels.