US blue chips pared earlier gains and were little changed at midday on Thursday as positive earnings from Exxon Mobil Corp. and Boeing Co. were offset by a disappointing outlook from Sears, Roebuck and Co.
The technology-laden Nasdaq index was down 1 percent a day after stocks tumbled when the Federal Reserve abandoned its pledge to keep interest rates low "for a considerable period."
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 11.33 points, or 0.11 percent, to 10,479.70. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index eased 0.89 points, or 0.08 percent, to 1,127.59. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index fell 22.27 points, or 1.07 percent, to 2,055.10.