The Nasdaq rose on Friday but was sharply off session highs after an improved revenue forecast from Intel Corp and better-than expected quarterly profit from Dell Inc boosted the technology sector.

But the Dow industrials and the broad S&P 500 were little changed, after data showed U.S. consumer confidence fell to its lowest in four months in August on worries over high unemployment and dismal personal finances.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> fell 18.67 points, or 0.19 percent, to 9,561.96. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 0.76 points, or 0.07 percent, to 1,031.74. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> rose 13.38 points, or 0.66 percent, to 2,041.11.

(Reporting by Rodrigo Campos)