Stocks flat at the start

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- U.S. stocks were little changed at Monday's open as investors awaited a report on existing home sales and a week's worth of comments from Federal Reserve officials.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 0.1 percent. The Nasdaq composite index and the Standard & Poor's 500 index each rose less than a point.

In the news Monday:

Ambac Financial Group: An agreement could be reached as early as Monday with a group of banks to provide capital to help the beleaguered bond insurer, The Wall Street Journal reported. Stock (ABK)

Lowe's: The home improvement retailer said it expects sales in established stores to drop at least 5% in 2008. Stock (LOW, Fortune 500)

Getty Images: The digital media company said it has agreed to be purchased by private equity firm Hellman & Friedman LLC for about $2.4 billion. Stock (GYI)

Take-Two Interactive: Electronic Arts said Sunday it was pushing ahead with a bid to take over its upstart gaming rival, despite rebuffs from the smaller company. Take-Two (TTWO) EA (ERTS)

Brink's: The provider of security-related services said its board approved the spinoff of its home security unit into a separate publicly traded company. Stock (BCO)

American Tower: The owner of wireless communication towers said fourth-quarter revenue rose 12%, but it delayed reporting additional financial information while it resolves a tax issue. Stock (AMT)