Markets Right Now: Banks lead US stocks slightly higher
Utilities and real estate companies were among the biggest decliners.
Investors had their eye on Washington, where former FBI Director James Comey testified to Congress that the Trump administration spread "lies" about him and the FBI after his abrupt firing in May.
Troubled department store operator Nordstrom soared 11 percent after the company said members of the Nordstrom family are considering taking the company private.
Stocks are wavering between small gains and losses in early trading on Wall Street as declines in energy and materials companies cancel out modest gains in banks.
Troubled department store operator Nordstrom soared 14 percent after the company said members of the Nordstrom family are considering taking the company private.