Stocks end little changed as budget talks continue

(AP) Stocks are ending little changed as lawmakers work to thrash out a budget agreement.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed with a gain of four points at 13,026.

The Standard and Poor's 500 edged up less than a point to 1,416. The Nasdaq composite lost two points to 3,010.

The market has fluctuated between gains and losses in recent days as investors followed the latest headlines from the budget negotiations in Washington. Lawmakers need to reach a deal to avoid drastic tax increases and government spending cuts.

Online game maker Zynga plunged after saying it was loosening its relationship with Facebook.

Rising stocks narrowly outnumbered falling ones on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was in line with the recent average at 3.8 billion shares.