US stocks mixed despite optimism over Greek debt

Washington - Major US stock indices were mixed on Friday in spite of optimism that Greece will reach a debt-restructuring agreement with bondholders.

The Institute of International Finance said progress was made in talks in Athens today on a debt swap between the Greek government and private creditors.

Greek Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the government was "one step away" from completing talks on a voluntary debt swap.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 74.17 points, or 0.58 per cent, to 12,660.46. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 Index remained virtually unchanged, losing a marginal 2.11 points or 0.16 per cent, to 1,316.32. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index gained 11.27 points or 0.40 per cent, to 2,816.55.

The US currency declined slightly against the euro to 75.61 euro cents from 76.30 on Wednesday. The dollar dropped against the Japanese currency to 76.67 from 77.43 yen.//DPA