Wall Street stocks closed mixed on Tuesday with the S&P 500 notching a new low for the year.

The results came after five straight days of declines, as US markets continue their slog through a punishing year in which soaring inflation has forced the US Federal Reserve to enact drastic interest rate increases.

"The moves come as investors remain focused on recent monetary policy decisions around the world, which have elevated recession concerns," Charles Schwab analysts said.

Government data released on Tuesday showed that orders for big-ticket US-manufactured goods slipped in August but US new home sales surged – an increase that economists were sceptical could be sustained.

The consumer confidence index meanwhile jumped nearly five points in September to 108.0, the second straight monthly gain, according to The Conference Board, as worries about high inflation receded.

The major US stock indices climbed early in the session before falling.

The Dow Jones finished down 0.4 percent at 29,134 and the S&P 600 shed 0.2 percent to close at 3,647.

But the Nasdaq climbed 0.3 percent to 10,829. (AFP)