Moreover, Italian automaker Fiat said on Tuesday that it will not turn its back on a deal to acquire a controlling stake in Chrysler, the third largest U.S. automaker that filed for bankruptcy protection at the end of April, despite a U.S. Supreme Court stay on the sale.
    On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court put at least a temporary hold on Chrysler's assets sale to Fiat through bankruptcy. Fiat has the option to abandon the deal if it is not completed by June 15, leaving Chrysler with few choices other than to liquidate under bankruptcy court supervision.

    Investors also continuously keep a close eye on the interest rates, after yields on two-year and 10-year notes rose to new yearly highs on Monday. Investors worried that the Federal Reserve will need to hike interest rates before the end of the year to combat potential inflation, which will weighed on the economic recovery.

    The Nasdaq rose on Tuesday after an improved outlook from Texas Instruments lifted technology stocks. Energy stocks also moved higher as U.S. crude oil futures ended above 70 dollars a barrel for the first time in seven months.

    The Dow Jones industrial average was down 1.43 points, or 0.02 percent, to 8,763.06. The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 3.29 points, or 0.35 percent, to 942.43. The Nasdaq composite index climbed 17.73 points, or 0.96 percent, to 1,860.13.