NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are ending slightly lower, avoiding the sharp declines that occurred in Europe and China.

European markets slid Tuesday after an early presidential vote was called in Greece, which investors feared could jeopardize the struggling country's bailout program.

Stocks also fell in China after regulators there tightened rules for lending.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 51 points, or 0.3 percent, to 17,801. It was down as much as 222 in early trading.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged down half a point to 2,059. The Nasdaq composite rose 25 points, or 0.5 percent, to 4,766.

The price oil rose 77 cents to $63.82 a barrel in New York.

Government bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note slipped to 2.22 percent.