Summary Box: Stocks end a miserable August with minor gains as economic worries persist

Summary Box: Stocks post worst August since 2001

GAINS EVAPORATE: Stocks had made modest gains Tuesday morning following a better-than expected reading on consumer confidence but ended nearly flat after more caution on the economy from the Federal Reserve.

A WEAK AUGUST: The market had its weakest August since 2001 after a string of disappointing readings on the economy. The S&P 500 Index fell 4.7 percent.

CAUTIOUS FED: Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s Aug. 10 meeting released Tuesday showed that many central bank officials still see weakness in the economy.