The S&P 500 and Nasdaq pared small gains and the Dow dipped into negative territory on Tuesday after data showed U.S. consumer confidence dipped in March.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 7.95 points, or 0.06 percent, at 13,233.68. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 0.30 points, or 0.02 percent, at 1,416.81. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 1.54 points, or 0.05 percent, at 3,124.11.

(Reporting By Caroline Valetkevitch; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)