* Trading volume marks lowest so far this year
* Tech shares advance after selloff
* Stocks: Nasdaq up 0.4 pct; Dow, S&P flat
* For up-to-the-minute market news see []
(Updates to close)
By Angela Moon
NEW YORK, Aug 16 (Reuters) - Investors found little reason
to buy stocks on Monday as the Dow and S&P 500 ended barely
changed, suggesting that even several days of losses have not
convinced institutions share prices are attractive.
A smattering of strength in technology shares boosted the
Nasdaq modestly, but just 5.73 billion shares traded on the
combined NYSE Arca, Nasdaq and American Stock Exchanges for the
lowest daily volume of the year.
"Trading volume remains anemic as traders and portfolio
managers found little reason to get excited enough to make a
decision," said Scott Fullman, director of derivative
investment strategy at WJB Capital Group.
The biggest losers were education stocks, which tumbled on
concerns federal regulators will impose tighter controls on
student loans. For details, see []
[]. Corinthian Colleges <COCO.O> lost 21.6 percent
to $5.22 and was one of the most actively traded on the
Nasdaq.
Strayer Education Inc <STRA.O> plummeted 18.4 percent to
$163.26 and Capella Education Co <CPLA.O> slumped 13.2 percent
to $60.94.
Those anticipating a rebound after four days of losses were
also disappointed by early economic releases that suggested
more weakness in housing and regional manufacturing.
Reflecting growing fears of deflation, U.S. Treasury prices
rose with the 10-year yield hitting a 17-month low.
"There is no catalyst for the (stock) market as economic
indicators only pile up on the negative side," said Stephen
Massocca, managing director at Wedbush Morgan in San
Francisco.
The Dow Jones industrial average <> was down 1.14
points, or 0.01 percent, at 10,302.01. The Standard & Poor's
500 Index <.SPX> was up 0.13 point, or 0.01 percent, at
1,079.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <> was up 8.39
points, or 0.39 percent, at 2,181.87.
On the Nasdaq, Cisco Systems Inc <CSCO.O>, the maker of
Internet network equipment, gained 2.6 percent to $21.91 after
it suffered losses last week on its financial results.
Intel Corp <INTC.O> also rose 1.7 percent to $19.47.
The PHLX semiconductor index <.SOX> advanced 0.5 percent,
while its relative strength index hit its lowest point since
November 2008 on Friday. The RSI, which determines whether
stocks are oversold or overbought, fell to 31.4, right above
the oversold indicator at 30, indicating a security or index
was relatively cheap.
Lowe's Cos Inc <LOW.N> edged up 0.6 percent to $19.70 after
the home improvement chain said it expects same-store sales to
rise about 2 percent for the fiscal year. []
U.S. homebuilder sentiment unexpectedly fell for a third
straight month in August to its lowest level since March 2009,
according to an industry survey.
A gauge of manufacturing in New York state was up in
August, the New York Fed said, but a new orders component index
fell below zero for the first time since June 2009, an early
sign of a slowdown. []
Volume was about 41 percent lower than last year's
estimated daily average of 9.65 billion.
On the New York Stock Exchange, advancers beat decliners
1880 to 1090. On Nasdaq, advancers beat decliners 1624 to
1008.
(Reporting by Angela Moon, Editing by Kenneth Barry)
