U.S. Stocks Slide Amid Mixed Earnings and Trade Tensions

U.S. stocks faltered as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slid from record highs due to mixed corporate earnings and trade concerns. Key Dow components underperformed, and upcoming earnings from major tech firms are set to influence market trajectories. Trade talks between the U.S. and China also remain in focus.

On Tuesday, U.S. stocks experienced a downturn with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq retreating from record highs. The decline followed disappointing earnings from several Dow components, including UnitedHealth, Boeing, and Merck, which reported a mixture of profit misses and cautionary forecasts.

Investors are keenly awaiting upcoming earnings announcements from industry giants Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Apple, whose performances could significantly sway market directions. In the context of strong market influences, these tech giants hold substantial weightings.

Meanwhile, trade discussions between the U.S. and China are ongoing, with hopes of resolving ongoing tensions. As investors monitor these negotiations closely, they also await Wednesday's Federal Reserve policy statement for guidance on interest rates and the economic outlook.

(With inputs from agencies.)