Major U.S. stock-indexes slipped on Tuesday as oil prices steadied but remained close to their 7 year low and weak Chinese trade data reignited fears of a global economic slowdown.

Crude WTI fell below $37 per barrel and Brent below $40 for the first time since early 2009, before paring some of those losses.

Data showed China's imports fell for the 13th consecutive month, with an 8.7 percent decline in November compared with a year earlier.

Most of Dow stocks in negative area (28 of 30). Top looser - The Boeing Company (BA, -2.45%). Top gainer - NIKE, Inc. (NKE, +0.33%).

All S&P index sectors in negative area. Top looser - Financial (-4.4%).

At the moment:

Dow 17543.00 -213.00 -1.20%

S&P 500 2059.25 -21.75 -1.05%

Nasdaq 100 4679.00 -22.00 -0.47%

Oil 37.48 -0.17 -0.45%

Gold 1072.80 -2.40 -0.22%

U.S. 10yr 2.22 +0.00