GM - Markets Await Tech Earnings Close Tuesday Mostly Down

The S&P 500 hovered near the flatline Tuesday as traders readied for earnings reports from major technology behemoths.

The Dow Jones Industrials changed course and fell 57.35 points to 40,358.09.

The much-broader index subtracted 8.67 points to 5,555.74.

The NASDAQ slid 10.22 points to 17,997.35.

Wall Street continued assessing the latest second-quarter earnings reports, with Google-parent Alphabet and Tesla due to report after the bell. Those reports will mark the Street's first look at how major tech-related names fared over the past three months.

UPS posted second-quarter results that missed on the top and bottom lines, sending the stock down 12% for its worst day on record.

Elsewhere, General Motors easily beat analysts' expectations but shares fell 6.4% as the automobile company delayed plans for its electric and autonomous vehicles.

Earnings season is off to a strong start. About 20% of S&P 500 companies have posted second-quarter results, with 80% of those names beating expectations

Prices for the 10-year Treasury gained ground, lowering yields to 4.25% from Monday's 4.26%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices dipped $1.13 at $77.27 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices jumped $13.00 to $2,407.700.