New York - US stock indices were mixed Monday as an expected 5-billion-dollar cash infusion for Washington Mutual helped offset fears of technology earnings.

Washington Mutual, the largest US savings and loan bank, climbed the most in 25 years according to Bloomberg News on reports it was in talks on the new investment with private-equity firms.

Oil companies rose as the price of crude oil climbed above 109 dollars per barrel.

Aluminium producer Alcoa Inc shares fell on speculation that first- quarter profits would fall below expectations. Their profit report comes at the start of first-quarter earnings season in the United States.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 3.01 points, or 0.02 per cent, to 12,612.43. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index climbed 2.14 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 1,372.54. The technology- heavy Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 6.15 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 2,364.83.

The US currency rose against the euro to 63.65 euro cents from 63.54 euro cents on Friday. The dollar also climbed against the Japanese currency to 102.38 yen from 101.48 yen on Friday.

Gold rallied 13.6 dollars to 926.80 dollars per fine ounce. (dpa)