U.S. Stocks Rise as Energy Rally Overshadows Semiconductor Slump

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U.S. stocks rose, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index near its average price for the past 50 days, as a rally in energy companies and oil overshadowed semiconductor declines before Intel Corp. results.

The S&P 500 gained 0.2 percent to 2,096.11 at 4 p.m. in New York. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.2 percent.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose less than forecast in March after being depressed by harsh winter weather, signaling consumers are intent on not overextending themselves.

Purchases increased 0.9 percent, the first gain in four months, after a 0.5 percent drop in February, Commerce Department figures showed. The median forecast of 87 economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 1.1 percent advance.

Source : Bloomberg