Dow Higher, S&P and Nasdaq Dip as Weak Retail Sales Boost Fed Cut Bets (^DJI, ^GSPC, ^IXIC)

U.S. stocks mixed on Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) adding 0.2% to its record close, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) fell 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) down 0.2%. The flat December retail sales reading—virtually unchanged from November, below expectations—signaled a slowdown in holiday spending and increased sentiment for Federal Reserve rate cuts. Over 75% of traders now expect rates to be lower by June, with majorities still看好 no cut in January and April. Wednesday’s January jobs report and Friday’s CPI follow closely, monitoring labor conditions and inflation. Gold (GC=F) retreated from a $5,000 start to the week, while bitcoin (BTC-USD) traded below $69,000 amid volatility and a perceived crisis of confidence.