Dow ends 4-day record streak

New York - US stocks fell modestly on Tuesday, ending the Dow's four-day streak of fresh records, as the Justice Department announced a record $13bn settlement over mortgage securities with JPMorgan Chase.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 8.99 points to 15 967.03.

The broad-based S&P 500 fell 3.66 points to 1 787.87, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite lost 17.52 points at 3 931.55.

Stocks traded in a narrow range amid little concrete news and some profit taking after the strong run-up since mid-October.

"We had a few big retailers report earnings this morning, and the results were mixed," said Joe Bell of Schaeffer's Investment Research.

JPMorgan's shares gained 0.7% to $56.13 after the Justice Department deal, which resolves most federal and state complaints over its sales of mislabeled mortgage-backed securities ahead of the financial crisis.

Authorities said the bank and employees could still face criminal charges, however.

Best Buy plummeted 11% after the electronics retailer warned that margins could be pinched in the battle for consumer dollars in the coming holiday shopping season.

Builder and home supply chain Home Depot gained 0.9% as the company raised its 2013 sales outlook driven by the continued recovery of the US housing sector.

United Airlines parent United Continental Holdings surged 3.9% on fresh pledges to investors to cut costs and raise revenues in a programme to double United Airlines profits by 2017.

Wal-Mart shares gained a bare 0.04% one day after the US National Labour Relations Board ruled the world's largest retailer had violated employees' rights by threatening and firing workers who participated in strikes and other protests.

The ruling could give pro-union activists at the company more space to organise and advocate for higher wages and benefits.

Electric car maker Tesla added 3.7% after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced it would investigate recent fires in Tesla cars at the company's request.

Bond prices were mixed. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury rose to 2.71% from 2.68% on Monday, while the 30-year rose to 3.80% from 3.77%. Bond prices and yields move inversely.