The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 2.71, or 0.2 per cent, to close at 1,273.85. The Nasdaq composite index rose 7.69, or 0.3 per cent, to 2,709.89. Three stocks fell for every two that rose on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was 1 billion shares. Bond prices rose, sending their yields lower. The yield on the ten-year Treasury note fell to 3.40 per cent from 3.46 per cent late Wednesday. The yield is used to set interest rates on many kinds of loans including mortgages. (AP)