SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. stocks mostly edged higher Monday, with the Dow industrials falling short of a close above 13,000, as a rise in planned home purchases offset disappointment over the G-20’s potential support for Europe.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index advanced 1.85 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 1,367.59, while the Nasdaq composite index increased 2.41 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 2,966.16. The Dow Jones industrial average, however, declined 1.44 points to close at 12,981.51.

“What we’ve been seeing recently is: European worries have started us down, but then U.S. data comes in surprisingly strong and continues to move people into being less worried about downside risk,” said Bill Stone, chief investment strategist at PNC Wealth Management Group.