The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 3.36 points, or 0.01 percent, to 33,984.93. The S&P 500 decreased 0.90 points, or 0.02 percent, to 4,186.72. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 48.56 points, or 0.34 percent, to 14,090.22.
Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors ended in red, with utilities down 0.75 percent, leading the laggards. Energy climbed 1.26 percent, the best-performing group.
U.S.-listed Chinese companies traded mostly lower, with eight of the top 10 stocks by weight in the S&P U.S. Listed China 50 index ending the day on a downbeat note.
On the corporate side, Tesla shares slipped 4.5 percent even after the electric automaker reported quarterly earnings and revenue that exceeded consensus estimates.
Microsoft and Google-parent Alphabet delivered results after Tuesday's market close, while Apple and Facebook are set to report on Wednesday after the bell.
With about a third of S&P 500 index companies reporting so far, about 80 percent have beaten forecasts, according to FactSet.
Elsewhere, the U.S. central bank on Tuesday kicked off its two-day policy meeting. Traders will look to its monetary policy decision and press conference from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell slated for Wednesday afternoon.
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