NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Reports that a deadly poison was found in a U.S. Senate office building distracted investors early Tuesday, keeping stocks near the unchanged line, despite the release of some strong earnings reports.
After five minutes of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average (down 18.81 to 10480.37, Charts), the Standard & Poor's 500 (down 1.75 to 1133.51, Charts) index and the Nasdaq composite (up 0.59 to 2063.74, Charts) all traded near breakeven.
A suspicious white powder found in the mailroom of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist was determined to be ricin, a highly toxic substance. Most of the Senate complex was shut down, with only essential personnel allowed access to the Capitol.
The incident spooked investors, reviving fears of chemical terrorist attacks, which first surfaced after September 11 when there were several incidents of anthrax being sent through the mail, resulting in deaths.
The news overshadowed better than forecast earnings from Whirlpool (WHR: up $0.93 to $75.83, Research, Estimates) and others.
After the close of trade, Cisco Systems (CSCO: up $0.20 to $26.40, Research, Estimates) is due to report its quarterly results. The company is forecast to have earned 17 cents per share, 2 cents more than a year earlier, according to First Call estimates.
Treasury prices rose, pushing the 10-year note's yield down to 4.11 percent from 4.14 percent late Monday. Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Brent crude oil futures fell 41 cents to $29.82 a barrel in London. COMEX gold gained $1.60 to $400.90.
Asian stocks ended lower Tuesday. European markets were mostly lower at midday there.
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