NEW YORK (AFP) - Stock markets had a mixed day on Monday as the Dow Jones industrials finished in positive territory while other leading indices closed in the red.

At the close of trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 21.65 points (0.16 per cent) at 13,510.08.

But the broad-based S&P 500 fell 1.22 (0.08 per cent) to 1,470.83. Also lower was the Nasdaq Composite, which fell 8.13 (0.26 per cent) to 3,117.50.

Dell shares soared on rumors that the computer maker would go private. But the Dell jump of 12.8 per cent was not enough to keep the tech-rich Nasdaq in positive territory.

Nasdaq was weakened on reports of weak demand for Apple's most recent iPhone. Apple shares were 3.6 per cent lower.