The market couldn't quite shake off last week's four-session losing streak, which was based on worries about higher oil prices and inflation and which thwarted the usual Santa Claus rally. Today's trading was lackluster due to a lack of major earnings or economic news and the fact that many traders were absent ahead of New Year's.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 29.07, or 0.4 percent, at 8,332.85, according to preliminary calucations. Last week, the Dow lost 2.4 percent.

Wall Street's broader gauges were mixed. The Nasdaq composite index fell 8.78, or 0.7 percent, to 1,339.53 after falling 1.1 percent last week. The Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced 3.99, or 0.5 percent, to 879.39, following last week's loss of 2.3 percent.

"People are still worried about the economy. ... It is just uncertainty in Iraq and rising oil prices aren't good for the economy. Buyers have just retreated," said Michael Murphy, head trader at Wachovia Securities in Baltimore.

The market has forfeited the so-called Santa Claus rally, which typically begins just before Christmas and runs through the end of the year. Historically, the last two weeks of the year are robust for Wall Street as investors get really optimistic about the new year.

But this year, rising oil prices have reminded investors that inflation could pose another threat to the uncertain economic recovery. Increasing tension in Iraq and an oil strike in Venezuela have already sent crude prices surging.

"Once again, the scenario is earnings, the economy and external risks ... Investors are sitting on the fence," said Alan Ackerman, executive vice president of Fahnestock & Co.

Intel fell 64 cents to $15.76 and Broadcom declined 67 cents to $15.25.

Wal-Mart rose $1.48 to $50.64 after saying today that sales were strong during Christmas week but that it still expects only a modest increase for the season. Wal-Mart earlier reduced its holiday sales forecast, projecting to a range of 2 percent to 3 percent from 3 percent to 5 percent.

And, Halliburton inched up 10 cents to $18.50 after Banc of America Securities reiterated its "buy" recommendation on the oil services company.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners 4 to 3 on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was light.