• • • • •

Stocks have edged lower, breaking a six-day advance as reports on home prices and consumer confidence did little to excite buyers. Major indexes had risen modestly in the early going Tuesday but slipped as the dollar strengthened and tugged on commodities prices. NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fluctuated in a narrow range Tuesday after reports on home prices and consumer confidence came in largely as expected, showing a gradual improvement in the economy. Major indexes had risen modestly in the early going, but were mixed in afternoon trading as the dollar strengthened and tugged on commodities prices. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index has posted gains for six straight days, rising 2. Earlier Tuesday, the Conference Board said its index of consumer confidence rose to 52. read more

Technorati Tags: index, stocks, commodities, news, prices, 2, news