The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq fell on Tuesday as investors booked profits following the stock market’s recent run-up, while a weaker-than-expected reading on a measure of consumer confidence sparked caution about the recovery of spending.

Shares of Anixter International Inc. rose Tuesday after the distributor of communications and electronic products posted better-than-expected results for its third quarter even though its profit and sales declined.

Energies came back from yesterday’s losses, but the consumer cyclicals were still left sinking. The PowerShares QQQ Trust ETF, QQQQ was lower for the third consecutive trading day.

Major business events and economic events scheduled for Wednesday: WASHINGTON — Commerce Department releases durable goods for September, 8:30 a.m.

Continental Airlines was the only airline stock gaining ground Tuesday afternoon, after it announced its long-awaited official jump to a new airline alliance.

European stocks finished flat and U.S. markets rose only modestly Tuesday, with investors uninspired by mixed reports on home prices and consumer confidence in the world’s largest economy.

Shares of apparel maker VF Corp., maker of Lee and Wrangler jeans, fell Tuesday, a day after the company said third-quarter profit fell 7 percent as revenue fell.

Carter’s Inc. was the biggest percentage decliner on the New York Stock Exchange Tuesday afternoon, after the children’s clothing maker delayed reporting its third-quarter results while it reviews its accounting regarding wholesale customers.

Shares of Crane Co. surged to a 52-week high Tuesday after the maker of engineered products beat Wall Street expectations for the third quarter on cost savings. The company also improved its earnings forecast for the year.

Shares of hospital operator Health Management Associates Inc. fell Tuesday after the company said its third-quarter profit surged on an admissions boost but reported a dip in pricing.