US stocks mostly lower on Greek default fears

NEW YORK—US stocks closed mostly lower Tuesday amid concerns that Greece will default on its public debt and as investors awaited the end of a Federal Reserve meeting hoping for new stimulus for the economy.

Erasing earlier gains, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 10.75 points (0.09 percent) to 11,411.76 in closing trade.

The broader S&P 500 fell 1.64 points (0.14 percent) to 1,202.45, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite dropped 22.59 points (0.86 percent) to 2,590.24.

Investors shrugged off S&P’s one-notch downgrade of Italy’s credit rating late Monday and focused on Greece’s continuing bailout talks with its lenders, the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund, for a new installment on its rescue package to avoid a debt default.

Read more...