Major Averages Posting Slim Losses In Early Trading

(RTTNews) - After ending the previous session modestly higher, stocks are turning in a lackluster performance in early trading on Tuesday. The major averages are lingering near the unchanged line after the Dow and the S&P 500 ended Monday's trading at new record closing highs.

Uncertainty about the near-term outlook for the markets is keeping traders on the sidelines following the upward trend seen over the past few weeks.

Traders also seem reluctant to make any significant moves ahead of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's testimony before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday.

The markets have largely shrugged off reports showing that consumer prices and industrial production both rose by a little more than expected in June.

Most of the major sectors are showing only modest moves in early trading, although some strength is visible among gold stocks. The strength in the gold sector comes amid an increase by the price of the precious metal.

Healthcare provider stocks are also seeing early strength, while some weakness has emerged among health insurance stocks.

The major averages have moved to the downside in the past few minutes and are currently posting modest losses. The Dow is down 18.85 points or 0.1 percent at 15,465.41, the Nasdaq is down 2.42 points or 0.1 percent at 3,605.08 and the S&P 500 is down 2.98 points or 0.2 percent at 1,679.52.