Bank earnings boost S&P and Nasdaq, retailers weigh on Dow

The Dow's gains were comparatively lesser, held back by a drop in consumer stocks after a report showed U.S. retail sales and core retail sales increased less than expected in December. Bank of America , JPMorgan and Wells Fargo all reported quarterly profits that beat analysts expectations. Bank of America jumped as much as 2.1 percent to $23.41, their highest since the financial crisis.