The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell for a third-consecutive session, sliding 30.82 points, or 0.23 percent, to end at 13,172.76. Hewlett-Packard [ HPQ 19.20 -0.73 ( -3.66% ) ] and Caterpillar [ CAT 88.72 -1.57 ( -1.74% ) ] led the laggards.

The S&P 500 eked out a gain of 0.32 points, or 0.02 percent, to finish at 1,413.49. The Nasdaq gained 6.41 points, or 0.21 percent, to close at 3,073.67.

The CBOE Volatility Index , widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, closed above 15.

Among the key S&P sectors, industrials lagged, while materials ended higher.