NEW YORK (September 14, 2009)--Stocks pulled back from early losses to post moderate gains Monday as traders pushed into utilities and industrial companies.

The day's early losses were tied to fears that a trade war could erupt between the U.S. and China.

The U.S. has imposed trade penalties on tires coming from China.

Utilities pulled the market higher after a report of a takeover in the industry.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 21 at 9,627 after dropping more than 100 points in early trading.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up 7 at 1,049.

The Nasdaq composite index was up 11 at 2,092.

Two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to a moderate 1.2 billion shares.