Shares were mixed in early trading as some blue-chip names eased after yesterday's run to record levels.

The Dow Jones fell 41 points to 9332 after reaching a closing record of 9374 on Monday.

However, losses were contained and market watchers said they would not be surprised to see the Dow move into positive territory before the end of the day.

The Standard & Poor's 500-Stock Index drifted 2 points, while the Nasdaq Composite Index moved 4 points higher.

Shares in American Express, which jumped 4% yesterday, fell 2 11/16 to 106 1/4, while JP Morgan gave up 2 3/8 of yesterday's gain, falling to 113 1/2.

Technology stocks continued to forge ahead.

Shares in Microsoft, which also reached a 52-week high yesterday, improved 2 11/16 to 121 7/8, while Hewlett-Packard added 1 1/4 to 62 7/8.