Stocks showed lack of direction on Tuesday, ending modestly lower. Dow down 94.87 points to 48,367.06, Nasdaq slipped 55.27 points to 23,419.08, S&P 500 edged down 9.50 points to 6,896.24. Traders cautious ahead of Fed minutes release, which showed mixed views on interest rates. Fed’s next meeting set for January 27-28, with 83.9% chance rates will remain unchanged. Biotech stocks fell, telecom stocks rose. Asian markets mixed, European markets up. Bond market yields rose. Weekly jobless claims report to come, but activity expected to be low ahead of New Year’s Day holiday.

Read more at Nasdaq: U.S. Stocks Finish Choppy Trading Day Modestly Lower