US markets end flat

ALSO READ See how Asian markets are doing

CNBC's Oriel Morrison - Stocks struggle to gain traction today, the Dow managing gains at 20 points on the close supported by buying in defensives, the S&P500 finishing pretty much flat.

The biggest loser MBIA, the world's largest bond insurer then after the company reported a bigger than expected net loss of USD 3.50 per share in Q3 but AIG moved higher, Moody is saying that the company should be able to repay the Federal government senior secured loan and much of its preferred stock stake if markets continue to stabilize.

Kraft also on the upside, after saying it would ask shareholders to approve the issuance of new stock for its proposed Cadbury deal.

Bank of America gained, CEO Kenneth Lewis saying the integration with Merrill Lynch (ML) is ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile some cautionary comments from Fed officials today, he warned that unemployment will remain high for the next several years crimping the all important consumer in the US.

Finally two former Bear Stearns' fund managers have been found not guilty of fraud charges after jury and a federal court said that the two did not lie to investors about the value of their hedge funds. It is a first case against high profile Wall Street executives charged with fraud stemming from the financial crisis.