NEW YORK - US stocks ended mixed on Tuesday as investors digested another round of corporate earnings reports in mostly positive territory.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 218.16 points, or 0.47 percent, to a record 46,924.74. The S&P 500 inched up 0.22 points, or less than 0.01 percent, to 6,735.35. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 36.88 points, or 0.16 percent, to 22,953.67.

Eight of the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors finished lower, with utilities and communication services leading the declines, down 0.99 percent and 0.85 percent, respectively. Consumer discretionary and industrials outperformed, climbing 1.32 percent and 0.88 percent.

Coca-Cola and 3M helped lift the Dow, rising 4.1 percent and 7.7 percent after both companies reported quarterly results that beat Wall Street's estimates. General Motors shares surged 14.9 percent after the automaker topped expectations and raised its full-year guidance.

"This is a good sign that big multinational stocks are posting better than expected results," said Louis Navellier, founder and chief investment officer at Navellier & Associates. "This essentially means the Q3 announcement season is off to a strong start and that we are going to have a great year-end rally."

Two large defense contractors delivered strong results and rising demand, but both companies' shares declined in Tuesday's trading. Lockheed Martin stock fell 3.2 percent, while Northrop Grumman slipped 0.44 percent. Investors are now eyeing a critical stretch for Q3 earnings, with Tesla due Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the US federal government shutdown continues, now the third-longest in history, with no sign of a resolution as economic pressures build.