US equity indexes rose after midday on Tuesday as the international trade tariffs continued to evolve amid companies reporting quarterly results.

The Nasdaq rose 0.4% to 16,893.2, with the S&P 500 up 0.5% to 5,383.2 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.2% higher at 40,619.4. Most sectors rose with financials and utilities emerging as the top gainers. Health and consumer discretionary were the steepest decliners.

President Donald Trump reportedly suggested on Monday that he might consider tariff exemptions for certain automobile manufacturers, as they need "a little bit of time" to move the production of car parts to the US from Canada, Mexico, and other countries. Canada reportedly said its automakers will be allowed to continue to import a certain number of US-made cars and trucks tariff-free, provided they keep manufacturing vehicles domestically.

In contrast, China reportedly ordered domestic airlines to freeze all new Boeing jet deliveries and halt purchases of US aircraft parts. Boeing's (BA) stock declined nearly 1% intraday, one of the worst performer on the Dow. Late last week, the White House excluded major electronics categories from the 145% levy on Chinese goods and 10% on imports from other trade partners.

US Treasury yields were mixed intraday, with the 10-year down 2.1 basis points to 4.34% and the one-year 2.7 basis points higher at 4.03%.

The Q1 earnings season is underway, with Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C), and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) reporting Q1 earnings and sales Tuesday beating analyst estimates.

West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures slipped 0.7% to $61.11 a barrel.