The major averages dipped on Tuesday as traders continue to monitor brewing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
The Dow Jones declined 153.0 points to 33,926.14.
The S&P 500 ditched 10.49 points to 4,349.36.
The NASDAQ index inched up 6.45 points to 13,554.52.
The U.S. stock market was closed Monday due to the President's Day holiday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that he would recognize the independence of two breakaway regions in Ukraine, potentially undercutting peace talks with President Joe Biden. That announcement was followed by news that Biden was set to order sanctions on separatist regions of Ukraine, with the European Union vowing to take additional measures.
Home Depot reported quarterly profit of $3.21 a share, three cents better than estimates, and said it sees earnings and revenue growth this year. Shares, however, fell 4.5%.
Meanwhile, Macy's popped more than 3% in premarket trading after beating on the top and bottom lines of its quarterly results. Macy's also authorized a new $2 billion share buyback program and announced a 5% dividend increase.
In deal news, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt shares surged 14.4% after the company said it would be taken private by Veritas Capital in a deal worth $21 a share, representing a nearly 16% premium from Friday's close. The deal is expected to be completed in the second quarter.
Traders are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve, as the U.S. central bank is expected to raise rates multiple times starting next month. Traders are betting that there is a 100% chance of a Fed rate hike after the March 15-16 meeting, with expectations tilting toward a 0.25-percentage-point move.
Yields for the 10-year Treasury registered at 1.95%.
Oil prices gained $2.96 to $94.03 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices picked up $6.10 to $1,905.90.