The Dow was up 80 points before pulling back after the Institute for Supply Management's purchasing manager index fell last month.

WSJ: Blue Chips Hold, End Higher

Non-manufacturing purchasing manager index for March rose 1.1 percentage points to 55.6.

FORBES: Market Still Ignores China's Relatively Positive Economy

The Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI) was at 50.9 in March, up from 50.1 in February, official data showed.

BBC: China manufacturing activity at 11-month high in March

China's Shanghai Composite rallied 1.8% after the manufacturing purchasing manager's index rose to 53.3 in April from 53.1 in March.

WSJ: Dow Closes Lower on Jobs Data