US Bank shares led a late-session selloff Tuesday, breaking Wall Street's four-session win streak, as investors mulled mixed reports on inflation and manufacturing and opted to step back.
The start of the Federal Reserve's two-day policy meeting and a stronger dollar were also in focus.
The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) fell 49 points, or 0.5%, according to preliminary final results. The S&P 500 index (SPX) lost 6 points, or 0.6%. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) slipped 11 points, or 0.5%.
Analyst said "I think money has already been unwound in both hedge funds and mutual funds to lock in gains for the year, while at the same time, people remain skeptical enough of the rally that they continue to hoard cash,"
LONDON - European stocks ended broadly unchanged on Tuesday in the face of mixed economic news and amid concerns in Europe over the Greek debt crisis and the stability of Austrian banks.
London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares closed down 29.57 points, or 0.56 per cent, at 5,285.77 points.
FRANKFURT - The DAX 30 rose 9.08 points, or 0.16 per cent to 5,811.34.
PARIS - The CAC 40 inched up 3.65 points, 0.10 per cent, to 3,834.09.
Oil prices rose sharply on Tuesday for the first time in nine days with OPEC predicting energy demand will rebound faster than it had thought.
Benchmark crude for January delivery increased $US1.18 to $US70.69 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
The Australian stock market has received mixed leads from Tuesday night's offshore trading session, with Wall Street lower in mid-afternoon trade in New York, while oil was higher and metals prices were mixed.
At 0645 AEDT, on the Sydney Futures Exchange, the December share price index contract was eight points lower at 4,656.
GOLD down 80c to US$1123. an ounce SILVER up 11.5c to US$ 17.455 an ounce COPPER down 1.05c at US$3.1415 a pound
Today's Financial Calendar December 16 2009
Australia GDP, Q3 EU consumer price index (CPI), Nov UK unemployment, Nov US Fed rate decision US consumer price index (CPI), Nov US current account, Q3 US housing starts and building permits, Nov Australia Westpac-MI leading economic index, Oct (MOL) - EGM (ORI) - Annual General Meeting (SGT) - Ex div. 6.2c (TRU) - EGM (WWM) - Annual General Meeting (WBC) - Annual General Meeting (10:30 AM) (FLE) - EGM (11:00 AM)
