Market finishes flat as tech offsets banks

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed on Thursday, as optimism about technology profits helped cancel out worries about how much the credit crunch has hurt the economy, after disappointing earnings from Bank of America.

Technology stocks once again outperformed the broader market, pushing the Nasdaq higher, as investors bet Google Inc. (GOOG.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) would post strong earnings after the bell, following healthy results from rivals.

According to the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 4.72 points, or 0.03 percent, to end unofficially at 13,887.82. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 1.32 points, or 0.09 percent, at 1,539.92. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 6.64 points, or 0.24 percent, at 2,799.31.