Stocks edged higher at the open on Tuesday led by the industrial sector, as investors awaited data on the housing market, which remains one of the weakest segments of the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> rose 12.40 points, or 0.11 percent, to 10,798.29. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> gained 0.55 points, or 0.05 percent, to 1,166.36. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> edged up 0.60 points, or 0.03 percent, to 2,396.00.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)