Markets post modest losses on the heels of Monday's massive surge

The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Tuesday crept downward, closing 26 points lower, after falling from an earlier high when it was up more than 900 points. 

The S&P 500 on Tuesday closed down 0.2 percent and the Nasdaq closed 0.3 percent lower.

Tuesday's modest losses come on the heels of Monday's surge when the Dow gained more than 1,600 points amid hopes that the coronavirus pandemic could be showing signs of slowing. The S&P on Monday gained 7 percent and the Nasdaq rose 7.3 percent.

As the coronavirus crisis continues strangling the business community, the White House is moving to obtain more funding for small business loans. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Tuesday tweeted that the administration wants an additional $250 billion for the loans.