Stocks close slightly higher as Greek talks drag on
ASSOCIATED PRESS February 8, 2012 8:44AM
FILE - In this Feb. 2, 2012 file photo, trader Luigi Muccitelli, left, works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Markets were hopeful Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, that a long-awaited deal to allow Greece to claim its second bailout was near despite another delay to discussions between the country's political leaders. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Updated: February 8, 2012 3:28PM
NEW YORK — Stocks are finishing higher as Greece appears to be closer to the cost-cutting deal it needs to keep from defaulting on debt.
The Dow Jones industrial average finished six points higher Wednesday at 12,884. It was down as much as 60 points at midday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index edged up three to 1,350. The Nasdaq composite rose 12 points to 2,916.
After three days of delays, Greek government leaders are meeting in Athens to finalize a deal on steep cutbacks in public spending. Several deadlines have already passed without an agreement being reached.
Stock trading has been relatively quiet this week after a slow but steady rise since the beginning of the year. Caesars Entertainment soared 71 percent on its first day of trading.
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