Wall St. dithers as markets digest mixed earnings results

U.S. stock indices dithered on Friday ahead of the weekend as investors assess the mixed earnings results for American companies, which forced stocks to steady after a string of record highs. 

Wall Street's current wavering reflects similar dithering in commodity prices and currencies, as investors flip-flop from optimistic to pessimistic forecasts. 

On the other hand, the dollar returned higher against a basket of major rivals today, forcing shares of American exporters downwards, while higher oil prices buoyed energy shares. 

The dollar index, gauging the U.S. currency's performance against a basket of six major rivals, last traded at 97.10, compared to thee opening of 96.83, with an intraday high at 97.16, and a one-week trough at 96.81, as investors take refuge in U.S. treasury bonds, while the dollar draws support from recent upbeat data. 

Standard and Poor's 500 inched down 0.03%, or 0.58 points to 2,164.59, while Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 0.04%, or 6.50 points to 18,510.73. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ gained 0.11%, or 5.54 points to hover around 5,079.45.