US stock market steadies itself after worst week since 2012

U.S. stocks are stabilizing after their worst week in more than two years.

The Dow Jones industrial average edged up one point to 16,546 in early trading Monday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index also rose a point to 1,907. The Nasdaq composite rose seven points to 4,284.

European stock markets also rose. China released trade figures Monday that showed a pickup in export growth and imports last month.

U.S. stocks swung wildly last week and ended lower because of renewed fears of a slowdown in European economies. The S&P 500 fell 3.1 percent, its worst weekly performance since a 4.3 percent decline in May 2012.

J.C. Penney rose 5 percent Monday after it named a Home Depot executive as its next CEO.