U.S. stocks opened slightly higher on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected earnings from bellwethers, including Ford Motor Co , 3M Co and United Parcel Service , though weakness in Coca-Cola Co limited gains.

Shares of Ford rose 3.2 percent to $16.03 while 3M was up 0.8 percent to $94.88 and UPS rose 1.2 percent to $74.55. Coca-Cola, which along with 3M is a Dow component, fell 1.6 percent to $66.67.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 20.96 points, or 0.17 percent, at 12,500.84. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 4.05 points, or 0.30 percent, at 1,339.30. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 4.52 points, or 0.16 percent, at 2,830.40.

(Reporting by Ryan Vlastelica)