US stocks close mostly lower, hold onto monthly gains

US stocks finished mostly lower Tuesday as investors continue to ponder the probability of a rate hike by the Fed on the back of stronger-than-expected economic data raised.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 86.09 points, or 0.48%, to close at 17,787.13. The S&P 500 Index lost 2.10 points, or 0.10%, to end at 2,096.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index edged up 14.55 points, or 0.29%, to 4,948.05.

However, main indices closed May with monthly gains. The S&P gained 1.5% over the month while the Nasdaq marked a 3.6% monthly gain. The DJIA barely held onto a 0.1% gain for the month.