Stocks ended slightly higher Tuesday, as fresh details from the Federal Reserve on its efforts to combat the recession helped offset disappointing economic reports.
Alcoa Inc. said on Tuesday it will curtail production and cut some 13,500 jobs, or 13 percent of its global work force, to save cash and reduce costs in the current economic downturn.
Federal Reserve officials feared the economy would be stuck in a painful rut for some time despite their decision to slash interest rates to a record low.