01:54 PM EDT, 03/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes were mixed intraday as traders parsed the latest economic data and remarks by a Federal Reserve governor.

The Nasdaq Composite was up 0.2% at 18,217.6 after midday Tuesday, while the S&P 500 rose 0.1% to 5,773.6. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.1% to 42,542.7. Among sectors, communication services paced the gainers, while utilities saw the biggest drop.

In economic news, new-home sales in the US increased less than expected in February even as prices dropped, government data showed.

Separately, US consumer confidence waned for a fourth consecutive month in March, and by more than economists projected, as expectations plunged to a 12-year low amid economic uncertainty, the Conference Board reported.

"Consumers' expectations were especially gloomy, with pessimism about future business conditions deepening and confidence about future employment prospects falling to a 12-year low," said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist of global indicators at the Conference Board.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump said he may give "a lot of countries" breaks on planned reciprocal tariffs, which are expected to go into effect April 2, media outlets reported. The White House will soon announce duties targeting automobiles and pharmaceuticals, Trump reportedly said.

US Treasury yields were lower intraday Tuesday, with the two-year rate dropping 3.2 basis points to 4.01% and the 10-year rate losing 2.7 basis points to 4.30%.

Fed Governor Adriana Kugler said the Federal Open Market Committee can react to new developments by holding its benchmark lending rate steady "for some time" as it monitors incoming data and the cumulative effects of new government policies.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil was down 0.5% at $68.75 a barrel intraday.

In company news, CrowdStrike ( CRWD ) shares were up 3.6%, the second-top gainer on the S&P 500, as BTIG upgraded the stock to buy from neutral.

Merck ( MRK ) secured exclusive global rights to develop and sell China-based Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals' heart disease drug in a deal worth up to about $2 billion. Merck ( MRK ) shares were down 4.6%, the worst performer on the Dow and the second-steepest decline on the S&P 500.

KB Home ( KBH ) shares dropped 4.5%. The homebuilder late Monday lowered its full-year housing revenue outlook as affordability challenges and macro uncertainties weigh on consumers' home buying sentiment.

Gold was up 0.4% at $3,027 per troy ounce, while silver jumped 2.2% to $34.19 per ounce.