US stocks have finished mixed after economic data gave no clear direction on the economy, and as investors awaited a key speech by Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke on Friday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 21.68 points (0.17 per cent) to 13,102.99.
The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 1.14 (0.08 per cent) to 1,409.30, while the tech-rich Nasdaq rose 3.95 (0.13 per cent) to 3,077.14.
Wall Street stocks swung into and out of positive territory in thin trade.
“Traders appear to remain in wait-and-see mode to what may come from Friday’s Federal Reserve get-together in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, keeping stocks range bound and near the flatline,” Charles Schwab & Co analysts said.
Hopes are that Fed chief Bernanke will provide more information about the direction of monetary policy and stimulus measures at the annual gathering.
The Conference Board reported its consumer confidence index dropped to a nine-month low of 60.6 for August, down from 65.9 in July.
The report showed consumers grew less confident about business and job prospects in the coming months.
Before the opening bell, the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index of 20 cities showed prices rose for the fifth straight month in June, by 1.0 per cent.
“Shaky consumer confidence is a worry, despite rising home values,” said Jennifer Lee at BMO Capital Markets.
Shares in PVH Corp rose 4.8 per cent after the parent of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein reported second-quarter earnings and full-year guidance that topped expectations.
Colorado miner Molycorp powered 12.9 per cent higher after saying it was starting new heavy rare-earth concentrate facilities in California.
Lexmark International soared 13.7 per cent. The printing and imaging product manufacturer announced it was exiting inkjet printers in a restructuring that will cut 1,700 jobs.
Apple barely retreated from Monday’s record high, edging down 0.1 per cent.
Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 1.63 per cent from 1.65 per cent Monday, while the 30-year yield slipped to 2.74 per cent from 2.76 per cent. Bond yields move inversely to prices.