U.S. stocks wavered between positive and negative territory Tuesday, despite Goldman Sachs Group's stronger-than-expected earnings reports.

In early afternoon trading, the Dow Jones industrial average was at 8,331.45 points, down a scant 0.23, or 0 percent. The Standard & Poor's 500 posted a 1.90-point gain, or 0.21 percent, to 902.95 points, while the Nasdaq composite index posted a 0.15 percent gain, 2.70 points to 1,795.91.

The so-so activity came as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the Production Price Index rose 0.6 percent in June, the best gain in five months. The price report balanced out traders' concerns about a rise in oil prices, which traded at a $60.01 on the commodities floor.

Goldman Sachs surpassed its most optimistic second-quarter estimate, posting income of $3.44 billion, or $4.93 a share, up from $2.09 billion and $4.58 a share last year, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Bonds dropped in value, with yields on 10-year U.S. Treasury notes rising to 3.426 percent.

Japan's Nikkei 225 Average ended up 2.3 percent, snapping a nine-session losing streak.

London's FTSE added 0.8 percent.

In international currency trading, the dollar was at 1.3980 against the euro Tuesday, compared to 1.3996 the previous day. Against the yen, the dollar was at 93.08, compared to 92.93 Monday.