US stocks mostly edged higher on Tuesday after President Barack Obama said share prices are potentially a good deal at current levels, offsetting persistent uncertainty about plans to shore up the financial system.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 10.44 points, or 0.15 percent, to 6,773.73. But the Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 0.11 of a point, or 0.02 percent, to 700.71. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 4.60 points, or 0.35 percent, to 1,327.45. Giving major boosts to the Dow were McDonald's, up 2.4 percent at $53.11, and Caterpillar, up 4.2 percent at $23.11.