U.S. stocks closed higher on Tuesday, shrugging off weak consumer confidence data, as mining stocks surged following China's announcement of a sweeping stimulus package. The indexes initially trimmed gains after a report from the Conference Board revealed an unexpected decline in U.

Wall Street's main indexes were set for a subdued open on Tuesday, as investors scoured for clues on what the Federal Reserve's next policy move might be, while commodity stocks got a boost after China unveiled a bumper stimulus package.

The S&P 500 and the blue-chip Dow closed at record highs in the previous session after a survey signaling steady business activity soothed concerns of an imminent recession, and as a number of policymakers supported further policy easing by the Federal Reserve.