But the Nasdaq edged higher, buoyed by the biotechnology sector's gains a day after Amgen's strong quarterly earnings.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> declined 11.79 points, or 0.13 percent, to end unofficially at 9,096.72. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> shed 2.56 points, or 0.26 percent, to finish unofficially at 979.62. But the Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 7.62 points, or 0.39 percent, to close unofficially at 1,975.51.

(Reporting by Edward Krudy; Editing by Jan Paschal)