The S&P 500 and Nasdaq briefly turned negative on Friday while the Dow cut gains, dragged lower by the financial sector as worries about the health of banks persisted. Declines in J.P. Morgan and Bank of America helped lead the financial sector down.
The Dow Jones industrial average added 24.29 points, or 0.30 percent, to 8,236.78. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index edged up 0.52 points, or 0.06 percent, at 844.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 0.71 points, or 0.05 percent, at 1,512.55.