US Stocks drift lower amid investor jitters (ext)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks closed the day flat, after drifting above and below the break even line Monday. Investors grew jittery amid uncertainty surrounding Greek debt talks.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) closed down 12 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500 (SPX) gained 0.6 points, or 0.05%. The Nasdaq (COMP) moved down 3 points, or 0.1%.

Few major companies were slated to report quarterly results Monday, and with no major economic reports, investors largely stayed on the sidelines.

Greek debt talks were said to be progressing, but officials have yet to announce a deal to scale back the nation's overwhelming debt load.

The deal is a key condition for Greece to receive additional bailout funds from the European Union and International Monetary Fund. Without this financial support, Greece may not be able to make a €14 billion payment it owes on bonds that comes due March 20.

"There's a history of over-promising and under-delivering at EU summits, so we're not holding our breath," said Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist at Janney Capital Markets. "But yields are signaling that markets are growing more optimistic about the ability of policymakers to manage European challenges."

"There are some concerns off and on about Europe, but I think the focus is really going to be on the Fed policy announcement on Wednesday, and GDP numbers later in the week," said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James.

The dollar lost ground against the euro and the Japanese yen, but rose versus the British pound.
The new gold rushOil for March delivery added $1.25 to $99.58 a barrel.
Gold futures for February delivery rose $14.30 to $1,678.30 an ounce.