Markets Right Now: Stocks end higher after a choppy day

The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):

4 p.m.

Stocks struggled to a higher finish on Wall Street after a day of choppy trading.

Technology and consumer-focused companies did well Tuesday, but health care companies were weak.

Chipmakers Intel and Nvidia both rose sharply, but Johnson & Johnson fell.

Traders are still focused on a back-and-forth in Washington over tariffs the White House wants to impose on steel and aluminum imports. The plans have faced opposition from other Republicans and business leaders.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 7 points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,728.

The Dow Jones industrial average edged up 9 points to 24,884. The Nasdaq composite rose 41 points, or 0.6 percent, to 7,372.

Bond yields held steady. Prices for gold and silver rose.

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11:45 a.m.

Stocks were broadly lower in midday trading on Wall Street as losses for banks and health care companies offset gains elsewhere in the market.

UnitedHealth Group sank 1.7 percent Tuesday, and Wells Fargo gave up 1 percent.

Several technology companies were higher. Chipmakers Nvidia jumped 2.2 percent and Intel added 1.6 percent.

Asian stock indexes jumped after the North Korean government said it was open to talks with the U.S. about ending its nuclear program.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 4 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,717.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 121 points, or 0.5 percent, to 24,757. The Nasdaq composite rose 11 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,342.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.86 percent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are moving higher in early trading on Wall Street, led by gains in technology companies and retailers.

Intel rose 1.1 percent early Tuesday, and Ulta Beauty added 1.8 percent.

Nordstrom fell 1 percent after the company's board rejected a bid from Nordstrom family members to take the department store operator private.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 5 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,726.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 45 points, or 0.2 percent, to 24,926. The Nasdaq composite rose 25 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,356.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.87 percent.