The Dow Jones industrial average rose 5.39 to 6,709.18. The index pulled into positive territory in the final minutes after swinging from a 30-point morning gain to a 34-point deficit just a half hour before the closing bell. It was the fifth record high in six sessions for the blue-chip barometer.
Advancers outnumbered decliners by a 7-to-6 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,387 up, 1,185 down and 786 unchanged. NYSE volume was 443.48 million shares vs. 545.75 million Friday.
The Standard & Poor's 500-stock list barely managed its second straight record high, rising 0.03 to 759.53, but the NYSE's composite index slipped 0.05 from Friday's record finish, closing at 400.71. The Nasdaq composite index, which also set a new high on Friday, fell 1.09 to 1,330.93. The American Stock Exchange index rose 0.09 to 586.13.
The Dow was pressured throughout the session by its oil-related shares, which pulled back sharply as crude prices retreated from their recent six-year highs. Exxon, Texaco, Chevron and DuPont all fell.
Stocks continued to take their lead from the bonds, which started the day higher, but turned slightly lower in the afternoon. As the 30-year Treasury bond dipped, its yield - a key determinant of corporate and consumer borrowing costs - edged above late Friday's 6.85 percent.