Monday

Stocks were little-changed on the lightest volume of the year, as investors looked in vain for clear economic and corporate signs amid a weak recovery. Stocks had managed modest gains earlier in the session, but gave those up after the Fed released results of a bank-loan survey that showed business and consumer loan demand to be fairly flat. This news could potentially put a crimp on future economic expansion. Tomorrow retail giants, Wal-Mart and Home Depot, will release reports that are expected to provide clues about the state of the consumer. Hopefully better news is on the horizon. DJIA -1.14 Nasdaq +8.39 S&P 500 +.13.