US stocks ended the session flat on Monday even as a spate of deals and underlying strength in the economy boosted optimism. But caution ahead of earnings season held the volume to its lowest level this year and suggested the recent rally may be fading.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 23.31 points or 0.19 per cent at 12,400.03. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 0.46 of a point or 0.03 per cent at 1,332.87. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 0.41 of a point or 0.01 per cent at 2,789.19.

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