Stocks Ended Flat as Economic Data Offset Retailer Results

U.S. stocks ended little changed on Tuesday as declines in Home Depot and other retailers following results offset upbeat U.S. retail sales data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged up 5.28 points, or 0.02%, to 21,998.99. The S&P 500 slipped 1.23 points, or 0.05%, to 2,464.61. The Nasdaq Composite fell 7.22 points, or 0.11%, to 6,333.01.

Oil pared much of their earlier losses on Tuesday, with U.S. prices finishing just a few cents lower and holding ground at their lowest level in three weeks. September West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 4 cents, or less than 0.1%, to settle at $47.55 a barrel. Brent oil for October settled 7 cents, or 0.1%, higher at $50.80 a barrel.

During the most recent quarter, sales at Home Depot stores open at least a year rose 6.3%, led by 6.6% growth in the U.S. In all for the three months ended July 30, Home Depot earned $2.67 billion, or $2.25 a share, up from $2.44 billion, or $1.97 a share, a year earlier. Sales increased 6.2% to $28.12 billion.