MARKET SNAPSHOT: S&P 500, Dow Skid To A Halt, Over Oil, Falling Confidence

By Anora Mahmudova and Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch The Dow and S&P 500 end a three-day run of gains

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks ended Tuesday's back-and-forth session marginally lower, snapping a three-day run on the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Stocks traded in a narrow range, dipping in and out of negative territory after a variety of economic data highlighted by a surprise dip in consumer confidence. Trading volumes were thinning as many U.S. investors prepared for travel ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday.

Beyond thoughts of turkey, worries about possible cuts to production by key oil-producing countries around the world also weighed on investors minds, ahead of a widely anticipated Nov. 27 meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Oil futures sank to a fresh four-year low on Tuesday.

The S&P 500 (SPX) set an intraday high, but closed 2.37 points, or 0.1%, lower at 2,067.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) slipped 3 points to 17,814.94.

The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) ended the day up 3.4 points, or 0.1%, at 4,758.25.

Economic data: The revised GDP report showed that the economy expanded even faster than previously reported; however, analysts warned that the growth rate is likely unsustainable.

A surprise dip in consumer confidence index in November, indicating consumers were less optimistic about both current and upcoming conditions, also unsettled the market.

U.S. home prices were just about unchanged in September, as annual growth cooled to the slowest year-over-year pace in two years, moving the market closer to sustainable gains, according to data released Tuesday.

Stocks to watch: Tiffany & Co. (TIF) shares rose 2.5% after the luxury jeweler said sales rose in the most recent period as its biggest market, the Americas, posted robust growth, although the results fell below analysts' expectations as the company's Japan and Asia-Pacific markets delivered weaker performances.

United Technologies. (UTX) was the best performer among Dow components on Tuesday, gaining 2.7% recovering from Monday trading that saw shares lose 1.4% drop, after the company announced the abrupt departure of its CEO.

Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) shares dropped 2.1% after analysts at Stifel Nicolaus cut the rating of the stock to hold from buy.

Hormel Foods Corp (HRL) shares dropped 5.2%, after quarterly profit fell a penny shy of expectations, even though sales topped estimates. The processed foods company said sales in its key refrigerated foods and Jennie-O Turkey Store segments helped offset a slowdown in its specialty and grocery products segment in the fourth quarter.

For more on today's movers, read our Movers & Shakers column.

Other markets: European stock markets climbed after GDP data from Germany confirmed Europe's largest economy dodged falling into a technical recession in the third quarter. Asia stocks closed mixed.

Oil futures (CLF5) tumbled to a 4-year low as traders await OPEC decision. Gold prices (GCZ4) ticked up. The dollar (DXY)(USDJPY) moved slightly lower against the yen.

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