US STOCKS-Nasdaq edged higher, Apple leads gains

(Updates to show Nasdaq edging higher)

NEW YORK, April 21 (Reuters) - The Nasdaq inched higher on Monday, with Apple (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) shares gaining following a brokerage's higher forecast.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 38.02 points, or 0.30 percent, at 12,811.34. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 4.09 points, or 0.29 percent, at 1,386.24. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was up 2.65 points, or 0.11 percent, at 2,405.62. (Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by James Dalgleish)