The US stock market wavered on Tuesday as investors weighed stronger-than-expected housing starts against a pullback in building permits, highlighting a still-uneven outlook for the real estate sector.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average managed modest gains, lifted by industrial and retail names, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped under pressure from tech. Bucking the trend, Palo Alto Networks surged after posting robust earnings and upbeat guidance, with recurring revenue growth underscoring resilience in cybersecurity demand.
The mixed session underscored Wall Street’s balancing act—absorbing pockets of strength in housing and corporate results while remaining cautious about broader economic headwinds and the Federal Reserve’s next policy steps.
- Dow Jones: +0.4%, supported by gains in industrials and retail.
- S&P 500: −0.1%, slightly down amid tech pullbacks.
- Nasdaq: −0.5%, dragged lower by growth and tech stocks.
