Stocks closed down on Monday in the aftermath of Japan's devastating earthquake, but other than specific industries such as nuclear power, the broad impact on equities was expected to be short-lived.

Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 51.77 points, or 0.43 percent, at 11,992.63. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 7.89 points, or 0.60 percent, at 1,296.39. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 14.64 points, or 0.54 percent, at 2,700.97.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch)

Down Japan