U.S. stocks fell on Tuesday as disappointing housing and inflation data prompted investors to book profits, overshadowing another slate of strong results from such bellwethers as Apple Inc and Caterpillar .

* Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> shed 50.71 points, or 0.50 percent, to end unofficially at 10,041.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> declined 6.85 points, or 0.62 percent, to close unofficially at 1,091.06. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> lost 12.85 points, or 0.59 percent, to close unofficially at 2,163.47.

(Reporting by Ellis Mnyandu; Editing by Jan Paschal)

Apple inc.