US Stocks close lower amid Greece jitters (ext)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks hovered below the breakeven line throughout the trading day Monday, as investors anxiously awaited a Greek government decision on budget cuts that are key to securing a second bailout and avoiding default.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) closed the day down 17 points, or 0.1%. The S&P 500 (SPX) shed 0.6 points, or 0.04%. The Nasdaq (COMP) dropped 4 points, or 0.1%.

"Greece is the single largest determinant with what's going on with regard to sentiment," said Dan Greenhaus, equity market strategist at BTIG. "But there's a level of exhaustion. There's a sense that we want to get it over with."

For most of 2012, investors have largely ignored problems in Europe, pushing up all three indexes.

"Greece is the single largest determinant with what's going on with regard to sentiment," said Dan Greenhaus, equity market strategist at BTIG. "But there's a level of exhaustion. There's a sense that we want to get it over with."

For most of 2012, investors have largely ignored problems in Europe, pushing up all three indexes.

The dollar rose against the euro, the British pound and the Japanese yen.

Oil for March delivery slipped 65 cents to $97.19 a barrel.

Gold futures for April delivery fell $15.10 to $1,722.80 an ounce.