US stocks mixed, NFP rally short-lived

US stocks are mixed on Monday as optimism over last Friday’s non-farm payrolls (NFP) report proved short-lived and grim global realities set in.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 7.57 points, or 0.06 percent, to trade at 12,384.29 at 2:20 p.m. EST. The S&P 500 Index is down 1.73 points, or 0.13 percent, to trade at 1,330.68. The Nasdaq Composite fell 0.25 percent.

Last Friday’s NFP report showed gains of 216,000 for the month of March, which was slightly above expectations. Stocks closed modestly higher in that session.

The rally proved short-lived, however, as Monday's US stock indices have turned mixed soon after the opening.

International risks still remain and such fears may have set in. The Libyan civil war has no end in sight and WTI oil prices are now hovering above $108 per barrel -- the high cost of this essential fuel could shake the fragile global economic recovery. Meanwhile, the Japanese are still battling radiation leakages.

Looking ahead this week, several Federal Reserve officials are set to speak, including Chariman Ben Bernanke. Investor will pay close attention to their outlooks on the economy and any clues they reveal about monetary policy, including information on quantitative easing.