Technology stocks inched up and blue chips eased on Tuesday after a report showing the vast US services sector grew at a weaker-than-expected clip kept a lid on investors' sentiment following a rally on Monday.
The services sector grew for the ninth month in a row in December but at a much slower pace than analysts had anticipated. Major market gauges weakened shortly after the report but then recovered.
By midday, the technology-focused Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 6 points, or 0.30 percent, to 2,053, erasing earlier losses. The Dow Jones industrials shed 19 points, or 0.18 percent, to 10,524. The broad Standard & Poor's 500 eased 0.37 of a point, or 0.03 percent, at 1,121.