All eyes were on Apple after the bell. Earnings came in just after 4:30 pm and the technology company beat on both revenue and earnings per share.
Apple reported earnings of $3.89 versus estimates of $3.86, and revenue was reported at $88.3 billion versus estimates of $87.3 billion. Tim Cook said, "iPhone X surpassed our expectations and has been our top-selling iPhone every week since it shipped."
The company also reported a record $285.1 billion in cash reserves.
Stocks fell in the opening session Tuesday as earnings reports continued to pour in and as investors brace for the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision on Wednesday.
A flow of recent data from the U.S. government has made one thing strikingly clear: A surge in consumer spending is fueling strong growth, demonstrating a resilience that has confounded economists, Federal Reserve officials and even the sour sentiments that Americans themselves have expressed in opinion polls.
