Stocks briefly added to losses on Tuesday after data showed a much bigger-than-expected decline in pending home sales.

The National Association of Realtors said its pending home sales index dropped 16 percent after rising for nine straight months. Economists forecast a 2 percent decline.

In contrast, data showed new orders at U.S. factories rose 1.1 percent in November in their third straight increase, much more than the expected.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> dropped 28.27 points, or 0.27 percent, to 10,555.69. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 0.53 point, or 0.05 percent, to 1,133.52. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> edged up 0.14 point, or 0.01 percent, to 2,308.56.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)