By ALEXANDRA SCAGGS

Blue chips eked out a slim gain to continue their recent run into the record books, although other major indexes declined, as investors took a breather following mixed economic reports at home and abroad.

Investors digested mixed news on the small-business sector and a weak reading from the U.K. factory sector. Alexandra Scaggs reports. Photo: Getty Images.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 2.77 points, or less than 0.1%, to 14450.06, extending its streak of gains to eight. The Dow hasn't looked back since reaching an all-time high a week ago: the blue chips' streak of advances is the longest in two years.

The Standard & Poor's 500-stock index fell 3.74 points, or 0.2%, to 1552.48. The technology-oriented Nasdaq Composite Index lost 10.55 points, or 0.3%, to 3242.32.

"Bull markets require a daily portion of good news in order to keep advancing," said Alan Gayle, senior investment strategist for Atlanta-based RidgeWorth Investments, which manages about $48 billion in assets. "The market is somewhat extended, so without that good news, the market is vulnerable to a pullback."

Financial and tech stocks dragged on benchmarks, with Bank of America (BAC) among the Dow's decliners. Financial stocks remained the biggest gainers in the S&P 500 for March. Technology firm Red Hat (RHT) was the biggest loser among S&P 500 components, falling after Citigroup (C) analysts lowered their rating on the business software provider.

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) was among the gainers in the Dow industrials, after its chief financial officer said the retail giant hadn't seen any drop in spending from the payroll tax increase.

On the economic front, the National Federation of Independent Business said its small-business optimism index for February rose and topped expectations. But the federation's reading on expected business conditions remained deep in recession territory, and business owners reporting declining sales far outnumbered those saying sales increased.

The Stoxx Europe 600 closed less than 0.1% higher, as the British statistics were offset by an upbeat outlook for the German economy. Manufacturing output in the U.K. fell 1.5% in January, much worse than expectations for slight growth. Meanwhile, Germany's Economy Ministry said the economy was on the verge of recovery.

Asian markets were broadly lower, led by a 1% decline in the Shanghai Composite, the index's fourth-straight loss, after China's central bank signaled it would drain more cash from the financial system. Japan's Nikkei Stock Average erased early gains to close down 0.3% and snap an eight-session winning streak.

April crude-oil futures added 0.5% to settle at $92.54 a barrel, while March gold futures tacked on 0.9% to settle at $1,591.50 a troy ounce. The dollar gained against the euro and fell versus the yen. Yields on benchmark 10-year Treasury bonds fell to settle at 2.023% as demand rose.

In corporate news, shares of Yum Brands (YUM) climbed after the operator of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants said first-quarter same-store sales in its China division declined less than it had projected.

Costco Wholesale (COST) gained after the wholesale club reported fiscal second-quarter earnings that exceeded analyst forecasts. Strong growth in membership fees helped to boost revenue.

VeriFone Systems (PAY) rallied as the maker of card-payment systems said its chief executive, Douglas Bergeron, is stepping down after 12 years in the role. The stock tumbled 43% on Feb. 21 after the company indicated that first-quarter results would fall well short of expectations following a shift in its business strategy.

Diamond Foods fell after the seller of Emerald snack nuts, Kettle chips and Pop Secret popcorn reported fiscal second-quarter earnings and revenue fell short of analysts' estimates, amid a sharp drop in sales of nuts.

Write to Matt Jarzemsky at matthew.jarzemsky@dowjones.com