The Nasdaq briefly turned lower and the Dow and S&P 500 pared gains in afternoon trading on Monday, with Research In Motion among the top drags on the Nasdaq.

Optimism about China's vow to allow a flexible yuan currency provided market support.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 42.63 points, or 0.41 percent, at 10,493.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 3.02 points, or 0.27 percent, at 1,120.53. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 0.82 points, or 0.04 percent, at 2,308.98.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)