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New York - US stock markets were mixed in early Tuesday trade as oil prices fluctuated and traders took note of more upbeat small-business sentiment in the United States.
The major indexes hovered around the break-even point as oil prices fell and then resumed their rise, mirroring fast-moving events in Libya.
In opening trades the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 5.30 points (0.04%) to reach 12 095.33
The S&P 500 index, a broader measure of the markets, rose 0.20 points (0.02%) to 1 310.33, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite shed 4.45 points (0.16%) at 2 741.18.
"The muddled action comes amid a rebound by oil prices, which are now narrowly positive at $105.50 per barrel after they had been down near $103 per barrel in response to overnight reports that Opec has plans to increase production," said Briefing.com analysts.
Stocks got some succor from an National Federation of Independent Business report which pointed to improving market conditions.
"The NFIB small business optimism index rose to 94.5 in February from 94.1 in January," said John Ryding and Conrad DeQuadros of RDQ Economics.
"This measure of small business optimism is at the highest level since December 2007."
US Airways, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines and United Continental were all up solidly as oil price pressures increased and they moved to raise prices to offset higher future costs.
McDonald's Corporation shares lost nearly one percent, after rival Subway reported it now has more outlets than the once dominant burger chain.
