NEW YORK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks posted the biggest first-quarter gains in more than ten years even as major indexes ended the session on sour notes Wednesday, pressured by disappointing employment and manufacturing data.

As of Wednesday's close, the Standard & Poor's 500 index, which is regarded as the best indicator for the U.S. stock market dipped 3.84, or 0.33 percent, to 1,169.43, while it finished its best first quarter in 12 years with a 4.8 percent jump.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 50.79, or 0.47 percent, to 10,856.63, while the blue-chip index was up 4.1 percent for the first quarter, its best since 1999.

The Tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 12.73, or 0.53 percent, to end at 2, 397.96, however, it also rallied most in the first quarter since the year of 2006.

Equities had vacillated between gains and losses much of the session as rising stocks in natural-resource firms countered a report of more layoffs, frustrating investors looking for a positive tally in the upcoming monthly employment report.

For every two stocks that gained three lost ground on the New York Stock Exchange, where trading volume was light, as is expected ahead of a coming holiday weekend.
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