NEW YORK - US stocks have closed mixed after several leading companies bested earnings estimates even as revenue lagged expectations in some cases. At the closing bell on Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up a modest 23.96 (0.15 per cent) at 15,569.51. The broad-based S&P 500 gave up 3.00 (0.18 per cent) at 1,692.53, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index slid 21.11 (0.59 per cent) to 3,579.27. LONDON - European stocks closed lower, as disappointing US data dampened positive sentiment earlier brought on by better than expected American blue-chip earnings and news that China may move to stimulate its massive economy. London's FTSE 100 index of leading shares finished the day 0.39 per cent lower to 6,597.44 points, while Frankfurt's DAX 30 shed 0.20 per cent to 8,314.23 points and the CAC 40 in Paris dropped 0.43 per cent to 3,923.09 points. Spain's IBEX 35 index however jumped 1.38 per cent to end at 8,116.50 points after an upbeat short-term state bond auction eased fears over the debt-ridden eurozone nation. Li's comments that the "bottom line for economic growth is seven per cent" were interpretedas a hint Beijing would move to prop up growth and sent the mining sector soaring since China is a key consumer of metals. In London, shares in commodities giant Glencore Xstrata rallied 5.09 per cent to 282.7 pence, Anglo American jumped 2.14 per cent to 1,435 pence and Rio Tinto gained 3.36 per cent to 3,000 pence. The euro climbed to $US1.3215 from $US1.3186 late in New York on Monday. HONG KONG - Asian markets rose as unexpectedly weak housing data from the United States increased the likelihood the Federal Reserve would keep its stimulus program in place for some time. Hong Kong and Shanghai led the gains after China's premier hinted that the government had a lower limit below which it would not let economic growth fall. Tokyo rose 0.82 per cent, or 120.47 points, to 14,778.51 and Seoul added 1.27 per cent, or 23.80 points, to close at 1,904.15. Shanghai ended 1.95 per cent higher, adding 39.11 points to 2,043.88 after Premier Li Keqiang was quoted in state media as saying economic growth must not slip below the "bottom line" of seven per cent. Hong Kong rose 2.33 per cent, or 498.92 points, to 21,915.42. WELLINGTON - The NZX 50 Index gained 26.550 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4580.591 on Tuesday.