Global stocks mixed, Greece uncertainty weighs

US stocks ended up slightly on Tuesday, but with the outcome of discussions on a bailout package for Greece uncertain, investors are unlikely to make big bets in coming days.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 35.72 points, or 0.28 percent, at 12,880.85. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 2.85 points, or 0.21 percent, at 1,347.18. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 2.18 points, or 0.08 percent, at 2,904.17.

European shares slipped after investor optimism that Greece is progressing towards a deal to avoid a chaotic debt default helped stocks recover ground from earlier losses on the back of weak company earnings.

The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares fell 0.2 percent to close at 1,072.79 points -- staying near six-month highs -- having been as low as 1,065.07 earlier.

In Asia, Japan's Nikkei average slipped from a three-month high after Greek leaders delayed a decision yet again on the unpopular terms of a new $170 billion bailout, tempering optimism over the health of United States' economy.

Gains in Japan Tobacco and shippers offered support to the Nikkei, which eased 0.1 percent to 8,917.52 after hitting a three-month losing high yesterday following US jobs data that beat market expectations. The broader Topix added 0.4 percent to 772.77.