Stocks were little changed on Wednesday as positive trends in the housing market offset a cautious outlook from 3M Co , with some slight gains after the recent central bank-inspired equity rally.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 13.24 points, or 0.10 percent, to 13,577.88. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> added 0.77 point, or 0.05 percent, to 1,460.09. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> dropped 0.94 point, or 0.03 percent, to 3,176.86.

(Reporting by Chuck Mikolajczak)