NO DIRECTION: Stocks drifted lower in uneven trading Tuesday as fears about the "fiscal cliff" in the U.S. and a delay in Greece's bailout tipped major indexes between gains and losses.

BIG HELP FROM BIG BOX: A surge in Home Depot prevented a steeper drop for the Dow Jones industrial average. Home Depot jumped 3.6 percent after the big-box retailer's earnings beat analysts' expectations. Home Depot is benefiting from the gradual housing recovery and rebuilding efforts after Superstorm Sandy.

UNEVEN TRADING: Stocks had opened lower after European leaders postponed the latest aid package for Greece. The Dow rose as much as 83 points before closing down 59.