NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks drifted slightly higher midday Monday, with the S&P 500 eking out a fresh intraday record, as benchmark indices took a pause in the holiday-shortened trading week after last week's record run.
Following a slightly lower opening, the three major indices fluctuated in a narrow range in the morning session, as investors were pondering the stock market's continued record-setting rally in absence of major catalysts near the end of the year.
The S&P 500 climbed to another all-time high of 2,093.55 points, after the benchmark index set its 52nd record close of the year on Friday.
Also on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average logged its seventh straight daily gains and closed at a new record above 18, 000 points.
Investors were also weighing spillover effects from political turmoil in Greece.
Greek lawmakers failed to elect the next president of the Hellenic Republic in a key vote on Monday, paving the way for snap general elections within a month. In response, Greece's major stock index tanked as much as 11 percent early Monday and then pared more than half of the losses.
Trading volume remained light on U.S. stock markets, as investors were reluctant to place big bets on stocks with only three sessions left for this year.
The U.S. stock markets will be closed on Thursday for the New Year holiday.
At midday, the Dow added 9.79 points, or 0.05 percent, to 18, 063.50. The S&P 500 rose 4.40 points, or 0.21 percent, to 2,093.17. The Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 5.48 points, or 0.11 percent, to 4,812.33.
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