The Dow Jones industrial average gained 44 points (0.53%) to 8,325. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added two points (0.26%) to 899 but the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped nine points (0.51%) to 1,787.
Investors' concern about the recovery in economy boosted the defensive shares.
The Indian ADRs ended on a negative note.
Genpact was down marginally at $11.37. Tata Motors slipped 2% to $8.40.
Infosys dropped 1.22% to $5.77 and Patni Computers was flat at $10.74.
ICICI Bank shed 6.3% to $27.96 and Tata Communications declined around 2% to $19.30.
HDFC Bank tumbled around 7% to $94.97
