Wall St cuts losses, Dow turns positive

The Dow was boosted by Merck & Co Inc, which climbed 2.5 percent to $35.17 after reporting results.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 7.38 points, or 0.06 percent, at 12,215.93. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was down 2.43 points, or 0.19 percent, at 1,282.16. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 1.09 points, or 0.04 percent, at 2,737.54.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)