US equity markets opened in mixed territory on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average posting a modest gain of 0.08% to 52,676.53 points.
The broader market sentiment was defined by significant weakness in the technology sector, where the Nasdaq Composite fell 0.74% to 26,088.31 points.
The S&P 500 also retreated, dropping 0.37% to 7,547.53 points.
The divergent performance highlights a risk-off posture among investors, who are weighing renewed geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
While defensive sectors and industrial stocks provided some support for the Dow, growth-oriented technology shares faced selling pressure as uncertainty over potential escalation in the Middle East dampened appetite for riskier assets.
This mixed opening follows a period of volatility in US markets, where investors have been navigating conflicting signals from economic data and geopolitical developments.