Wall Street Flat on Concerns Over Inflation Impact on Profits

A man walks past the New York Stock Exchange on the corner of Wall and Broad streets in New York City, N.Y., on March 13, 2020. Lucas Jackson/Reuters

U.S. stock indexes were trading largely flat in a choppy session on Tuesday on worries over the impact of rising inflation on upcoming third-quarter earnings, while Tesla gained after record China-made vehicles sales.

Eight of the 11 major S&P 500 sector rose, led by defensive utilities, real estate, and consumer staples shares, which investors prefer during economic uncertainty.