Nasdaq closes higher, while Dow Jones continues to drop

The main US stock indices closed mixed on Tuesday, amid anticipation of key US inflation data.

The US goods and services deficit fell by 8.2% to $68.9 billion in April from $74.4 billion in March.

US inflation data this week will be an important focus to gauge inflationary pressures, which have been showing signs of rising recently and been weighing down on US stocks and bond markets. 

To the oil market, WTI crude July futures rose 1.2% or 82 cents, and closed at the highest level since October 2018 at $70.05 a barrel, after hitting a high of $69.8 and a low of $68.4.

Brent August futures rose 1.02% or 73 cents, and closed at $72.22 a barrel, after hitting a high of $71.9 and a low of $70.7.

As for stocks, Dow Jones fell 0.1% or 30 points, and closed at 34,599, with a day high of 34,665, and a low of 34,452.

S&P 500 rose less than 0.1% or 1 points to 4,227, after hitting a high of 4,236 and a low of 4,208.

While Nasdaq rose 0.3% or 43 points to 13,924, with a high of 13,981 and a low of 13,831.