The S&P 500 index briefly turned positive on Monday while the Dow industrials and Nasdaq pared losses, as strong gains in the financial and homebuilding sectors offset caution over disappointing corporate results.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> shed 6.57 points, or 0.07 percent, to 9,086.67. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 0.11 points, or 0.01 percent, to 979.37. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 2.26 points, or 0.11 percent, to 1,963.70.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Campos; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)