Dow, S&P end up in volatile session

US stocks rose in volatile trading, thanks only to technical factors and options expirations. But raging uncertainty about Greece prevented investors from committing money to the market.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 64.25 points, or 0.54 percent, to 11,961.52. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 2.22 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,267.64. But the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 7.76 points, or 0.29 percent, to 2,623.70.

European shares slid to a three-month closing low, with investors' risk appetite waning further as political discord and uncertainty over a second Greek bailout package hurt market sentiment.

The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares finished 0.4 percent lower at 1,084.47 points, the lowest close since mid-March.

The Nikkei average fell 1.7 percent, joining other equity markets in tumbling on Greek debt woes and disappointing US data. The Nikkei lost 163.04 points to close at 9,411.28. The broader Topix index shed 1.5 percent to 812.41.