US blue chip stocks fell Thursday as disappointing earnings from companies including Dow component Caterpillar and higher oil prices dampened the mood on Wall Street after two days of advances. However, gains by network equipment maker Cisco Systems Inc helped the tech-dominated Nasdaq and Standard & Poor's 500 indexes reverse early losses. Cisco rose 2.8 percent to $18.19 after Lehman Brothers said it expects Cisco's earnings to be at the top of expectations.
The Dow Jones industrial average was down 25.81 points, or 0.24 percent, at 10,472.77. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 1.59 points, or 0.14 percent, at 1,175.67. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index was up 3.12 points, or 0.15 percent, at 2,049.26.