Stocks inch higher in early trading

NEW YORK - Stocks are rising slightly in early trading as investors remain cautious entering a new week of trading.

The absence of any big moves Monday comes after major indexes plummeted more than 3 percent Friday. Investors sold stocks following the monthly employment report that showed a slowdown in hiring by private employers.

There are few domestic economic reports due out early this week that could ease the concern brought on by the jobs report. That means Europe's economy and the Gulf oil spill could again capture the attention of traders.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 19.43, or 0.2 percent, at 9,951.32. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up 3.25, or 0.3 percent, at 1,068.13, while the Nasdaq composite index is up 10.61, or 0.5 percent, at 2,229.78.

Markets overseas plummeted Monday in the wake of the big decline on Wall Street Friday. (See separate story.)