U.S. stocks were little changed at 2-1/2 year highs after the open on Tuesday, with investors focused on corporate earnings and the impact of an interest rate hike by China on economic demand.

China's central bank raised interest rates by 25 basis points in a bid to tame inflation.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 1.59 points, or 0.01 percent, at 12,160.04. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 0.78 point, or 0.06 percent, at 1,318.27. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 3.44 points, or 0.12 percent, at 2,780.55.

(Reporting by Angela Moon, Editing by Kenneth Barry)

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