Midday Leaders & Laggards: DJIA

The blue chip index rose 31.34 points to 11,263.30, as the index made a small recovery after reaching its lowest level in almost two years during Monday's trading.

General Electric will report its second-quarter results on Friday, and its shares rose 75 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $27.85. On Monday, the company's NBC Universal division and two partners agreed to buy The Weather Channel.

Drug maker Pfizer Inc. added 44 cents, or 2.5 percent, to $17.83. The stock is trading at its lowest levels in almost 11 years.

Shares of retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc. gained $1.32, or 2.3 percent, to $58.23. Media reports indicated that a Merrill Lynch analyst added Wal-Mart to the US 1 list of recommended stocks.

On the losing side, shares of Alcoa Inc. lost $1.80, or 5.4 percent, to $31.59. The aluminum producer is traditionally the first Dow component to report its quarterly results, and is scheduled to do so after the closing bell.

Computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. reversed course after Monday's gains, and declined $1.02, or 2.3 percent, to $42.98.

The Walt Disney Co. stock shed 55 cents to $29.53 as media stocks traded lower.