12:29 PM EDT, 07/30/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes traded mixed Tuesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average eked out a gain after financials led the sectors intraday and technology extended declines ahead of quarterly earnings from heavyweights post-bell.

The Nasdaq dropped 1.3% to 17,146.1, with the S&P 500 down 0.7% to 5,426.3 after midday on Tuesday. The Dow traded 0.1% higher at 40,585.2. Financials and energy were top gainers, while technology and consumer staples were in negative territory.

The Federal Open Market Committee will likely announce its latest monetary policy decision Wednesday. There is a 96% chance the FOMC will hold its key rate steady on July 31, according to the CME FedWatch Tool Tuesday, but an 88% probability that it will cut the target rate on Sept. 18 as evidence mounts inflation is on a sustainable path toward the Fed's 2% target amid a softening labor market.

In economic news Tuesday, US job openings fell to 8.184 million in June from 8.230 million in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The June level was, however, above the 8 million openings expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg. It represents 4.9% of total employment, the same as in the previous month but down from 5.5% a year earlier.

The Conference Board's measure of consumer confidence rose to 100.3 in July from a downwardly revised 97.8 in June and above the 99.7 expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

Most Treasury yields were down, with the 10-year 1.2 basis points lower at 4.16% and the two-year rate down 1.2 basis points to 4.37%.

Mega-caps Microsoft ( MSFT ) and Advanced Micro Devices ( AMD ) are among the technology companies reporting after the closing bell.

In company news Tuesday, Howmet Aerospace ( HWM ) reported a stronger-than-expected increase in Q2 adjusted earnings and sales and raised its guidance for 2024. Shares soared 13% intraday, the top performer on the S&P 500.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil slumped 1.3% to $74.81 a barrel.