NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Stocks were looking for direction ahead of the latest economic readings due Tuesday morning.

Futures were mixed, although a comparison to fair value suggested a lower open for U.S. markets.

The Commerce Department revised its estimate of the fourth quarter gross domestic product, the broad measure of the nation's economic activity, to a 1.6 percent annual growth rate, up from its initial reading of 1.1 percent growth. But that increase only met the forecasts of economists surveyed by Briefing.com. Futures were little changed following the reading.

At 10 a.m. ET, the National Association of Realtors reports the pace of existing home sales in January. Economists forecast that sales came in at an annual rate of 6.6 million, unchanged from December.

The latest consumer confidence reading is also due at 10 a.m., with the Conference Board's index forecast to slip to 104 from 106.3.

"All in all, I think we're looking at a mixed reading in economic data but pointing to growth ahead," said Peter Cardillo, chief market strategist SW Bach. "I think it'll continue to support a bullish atmosphere. Right now we're just looking at cautious trading ahead of the numbers and due to Europe being a little soft."

Major markets in Asia closed mostly lower Tuesday, although Japan's Nikkei ended with a narrow gain. Major European markets were slightly lower in early trading.

Oil prices also were mixed in early trading ahead of Wednesday's U.S. fuel inventories report. The April light crude futures contract for NYMEX fell 23 cents to $60.77 a barrel in electronic trading, while the April contract for Brent crude dipped 1 cent to $60.98.

Treasury prices were higher, cutting the yield on the benchmark 10-year note to 4.58 percent from 4.59 percent late Monday. The dollar was lower against the yen and the euro.

In corporate news, the Financial Times reports that General Motors (Research) is pressuring its investment bankers to reach the outline of an agreement to sell a majority stake in its GMAC finance unit by its board meeting Monday.

Apple (Research) is due to release a new line of products Tuesday, with speculation centered on an iTunes Movie Store, a video iPod with a larger screen, or details of new computers using Intel (Research) chips.

For a more detailed look at the markets before the open, click here.