U.S. stocks closed mixed after volatile trading on Tuesday as investors digested a slew of economic data amid possible trade progress.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average decreased 53.02 points, or 0.22 percent, to 24,370.24. The S&P 500 was down 0.94 points, or 0.04 percent, to 2,636.78. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 11.31 points, or 0.16 percent, to 7,031.83.
The market had an upbeat early session with the Dow jumping more than 360 points at its high. However, the three major indices alternated frequently between gains and losses throughout the afternoon session, featuring another bout of market volatility.
Shares of Travelers Companies and Boeing fell 1.65 percent and 1.32 percent, respectively, leading the laggards in the Dow. Nike and Verizon Communications, however, gained 1.46 percent and 1 percent, respectively, the two biggest advancers in the 30-stock index.
Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors closed higher, with consumer staples up 0.85 percent, leading the gainers. Financials decreased more than 1 percent after a weak previous session. Both communication services and technology rose, contributing to the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
Investors paid close attention to the trade progress between Washington and its key trading partners.
Officials from China and the United States discussed trade disputes between the two countries. In the calls, both sides exchanged views on the timetable and roadmap to push forward the following trade talks, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Chinese Commerce Ministry.
Wall Street has been grappling with trade issues for most time of this year as they may impact global economy and corporate earnings.
On the economic front, U.S. producer price index edged up 0.1 percent in November, beating estimates, the Department of Labor reported on Tuesday.
U.S. small business optimism dipped in November. The index declined 2.6 points to 104.8 with more than half the decline attributable to expected business conditions and expected real sales, according to a report released by the National Federation of Independent Business.
