Stocks are little changed on Ukraine concerns; Investors consider Fed chief Yellen's speech

Stocks are little changed at midday after a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen left investors unsure on how the bank will proceed on interest rates.

Investors were also monitoring another flare-up in tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

The Dow Jones industrial average lost 25 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,014 as of noon Eastern time Friday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell three points, or 0.1 percent, to 1,990. The Nasdaq composite index rose six points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,538.

Aeropostale plunged 10 percent after forecasting a big loss in the current quarter. Gap rose 5 percent after reporting higher profit in the latest quarter.

Bond prices were little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note held at 2.41 percent.