U.S. stocks slipped on Tuesday as investors were cautious ahead of earnings season, and talk of the need to plan for a possible second fiscal stimulus package underscored worries about the U.S. economic recovery.

* The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was off 30.08 points, or 0.36 percent, to 8,294.79. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> slipped 2.46 points, or 0.27 percent, to 896.26. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was little changed, off 1.12 points, or 0.06 percent, to 1,786.28.

(Reporting by Leah Schnurr; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)