U.S. stocks close mixed on Tuesday

The U.S. stock indices ended mixed on Tuesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 302.30 points, or 0.62 percent, to close at 48,114.26. The Standard and Poor's 500 lost 16.25 points, or 0.24 percent, to 6,800.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 54.05 points, or 0.23 percent, to 23,111.46.

Eight of the 11 primary Standard and Poor's 500 sectors ended lower, with energy and healthcare leading the laggards by losing 2.98 percent and 1.28 percent, respectively, while technology and consumer discretionary increased by 0.32 percent and 0.31 percent, respectively.

U.S. stocks close mixed on Tuesday

The West Texas Intermediate for January delivery dropped 1.55 U.S. dollars, or 2.73 percent, to settle at 55.27 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Brent crude for February delivery lost 1.64 dollars, or 2.71 percent, to settle at 58.92 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

Crude futures settle lower