Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq tick higher as earnings roll in, Wall Street braces for data deluge

Market Overview - US stocks experienced an upward movement, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising approximately 0.4%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite increased around 0.1% [1] - Investors regained confidence in tech stocks, particularly following strong sales growth from TSMC, indicating robust AI demand [2] Retail Sales Data - December retail sales remained virtually unchanged from the previous month at $735 billion, signaling a potential slowdown in consumer spending [6] - This flat performance follows a 0.6% growth in November and falls short of economist expectations for a 0.4% increase [7] - Eight out of thirteen spending categories reported declines, suggesting an unexpected slowdown during the typically strong holiday season [8] Economic Indicators - The retail sales data sets the stage for the upcoming January jobs report, which is under scrutiny due to recent signs of labor market softening [4] - The Consumer Price Index reading is anticipated to provide insights into inflation pressures later in the week [4] Earnings Reports - Companies like Coca-Cola and CVS Health have released their quarterly earnings, with Ford also highlighted for its upcoming report [4] Cryptocurrency and Gold Market - Bitcoin and ether have resumed their downward trend, with bitcoin trading below $69,000 after a volatile week [10] - Gold remains steady above $5,000 per ounce, with banks optimistic about its future, predicting a potential rise to $6,000 by year-end due to ongoing geopolitical risks [12]