Stocks closed mixed, brush off European elections Investors brushed off Europe's election results, as the S&P 500 rebounded from early losses to end almost unchanged on Monday, despite the uncertainty surrounding the euro zone's ability to tackle its debt crisis. According to preliminary calculations, the Dow Jones industrial average closed the day down 29.74 points, or 0.23 percent, to 13,008.53. But the Standard & Poor's 500 Index inched up just 0.48 of a point, or 0.04 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,369.58. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 1.42 points, or 0.05 percent, to close unofficially at 2,957.76. Greek voters punished mainstream politicians who had backed cost-cutting plans demanded by the country's international lenders, leaving the country without clear leadership. In France President Nicolas Sarkozy was thrown out in favor of Socialist Francois Hollande, who pledged "to finish with austerity." Investors worried that the shifting political landscape in Europe could undermine the region's long battle to keep its share currency intact and restore the faith of global investors. European markets slumped early on, but closed higher after worries about the political changes dissipated and investors focused on Hollande's pledges to encourage economic growth. Investors were also relieved after Spain announced a plan to present measures this week to support the country's ailing banks. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy said he would not rule out lending or injecting public money into the country's financial system. Stocks rose sharply in Spain, ending up 2.7 percent. France's main index gained 1.7 percent. The euro also recovered ground it lost against the dollar. The election results in Europe showed that voters were rejecting the extreme belt-tightening required by international bailouts and favored by Germany's leadership. Investors were waiting to hear some fresher ideas. "We are going to hear a more balanced prescription coming out of the European leadership," said Quincy Krosby, a market strategist at insurer Prudential Financial. The elections were a strong message for pro-austerity leaders from the people. Investors are waiting to see the newly-elected leaders articulate their visions for how to deal with the euro zone's debt crisis, which is why there is a muted reaction from stock markets, according Kim Caughey-Forrest, equity research analyst at investment firm Fox Pitt Capital Group. "There is no reason to cry until you get hurt," said Caughey-Forrest. The verdict from European voters will likely force leaders there to go back to the table and come up with more acceptable solutions to the debt crisis that has plagued many nations. The deep cuts in government spending have already worsened the situation in many countries, leading them into deeper economic distress and increasing already high unemployment. Many believe the austerity programs are necessary to keep bond investors from panicking about the possibility that more European nations will default or require bailouts. However, a growing number of politicians, like France's Hollande, say the cuts have been too much, too fast. They say the region's economy can't return to growth unless governments stop tightening the fiscal noose and start spending again to create demand. Some economists also now believe that the cuts have to be accompanied by some government economic stimulus to promote growth. No matter what, the path forward seems fraught with uncertainty. That was reflected in how markets reacted. European shares plunged at the open, but recouped most of the losses. France's CAC-40 ended 1.7 percent higher, and Spain's Ibex-35 rose 2.7 percent, while Germany's DAX was flat. Greece was the exception: the main index in Athens plunged over 8 percent and recovered a little, but ended 6.6 percent lower. Bond investors also had the same reaction. The benchmark yield on the 10-year Treasury note dropped to 1.83 percent overnight, but by mid-morning Eastern time it was back up to 1.88 percent, the same level it was at late Friday. Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei index plunged 2.8 percent to its lowest finish in three months. In addition to Europe's elections, it was also the first time for investors in Asia to react to a weak jobs report Friday in the U.S. Hong Kong's benchmark Hang Seng index slid 2.6 percent.