Stocks fell on Tuesday after disappointing quarterly sales figures from economic bellwether Johnson & Johnson sparked worries about consumer spending, offsetting a lift from higher commodity prices.

The Nasdaq gave up its initial gains at the open.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 53.66 points, or 0.54 percent, at 9,832.14. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 7.19 points, or 0.67 percent, at 1,069.00. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 5.16 points, or 0.24 percent, at 2,133.98. (Reporting by Angela Moon; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)