By Anora Mahmudova and Sara Sjolin, MarketWatch

J.P. Morgan climbs after earnings beat views

NEW YORK (MarketWatch)--U.S. stocks ended Tuesday's session slightly higher as gains in the energy sector lifted the benchmark S&P 500 index.

The top ten performers on the S&P 500 were energy shares, with each rising more than 2% following a jump in oil prices. Investors brushed off weaker-than-expected economic data and mixed earnings reports.

Notably, monthly retail sales rebounded in March, but by less than expected.

The less-than-stellar economic reports come as earnings reports from large banks and retailers provided a mixed backdrop. J.P. Morgan's results--the first major earnings report of the day--beat forecasts and sent the bank's shares higher, while Wells Fargo delivered a rare decline in profits.

The S&P 500 (SPX) closed 3.41 points, or 0.2%, higher at 2,095.83. Energy stocks rallied, while technology shares lagged behind.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) added 59.66 points, or 0.3%, to 18,036.70, with nearly two-thirds of its 30 components finishing with gains.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) underperformed other indexes and closed 10 points, or 0.2%, lower at 4,977.29.

Brad McMillan, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network, in emailed notes wrote that Tuesday's retail sales, despite missing expectations, actually show marked improvement.

"This is another example of a snowdown, not a slowdown, and that bad weather and some other onetime factors have combined to temporarily slow down the economy," wrote McMillan, adding that he expects consumers to increase spending in coming months.

Phil Orlando, chief equity strategist and portfolio manager at Federated Investors, doesn't expect outstanding earnings, but he said they probably won't be disastrous either.

"We would not be surprised to see a mild pullback due to weak earnings," Orlando said.

"But markets can also trade sideways for a while and correct on time basis rather than on prices," he said.

Earnings: Banking giant J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) reported rises in first-quarter profit and revenue that topped analyst forecasts, lifting the shares 1.6%.

Wells Fargo & Co.(WFC) reported that its first-quarter profit fell, the first such drop in 18 quarters. Shares fell 0.7%.

The two companies kick off earnings season for large U.S. banks, with Bank of America Corp. (BAC), Citigroup Inc. (C) and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) reporting later in the week.

Chevron Corp.(CVX) rose 2.2%, and was the top gainer on the Dow.

For more on today's notable movers read Movers & Shakers column (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/intel-jp-morgan-wells-fargo-earnings-in-focus-2015-04-14).

Data:Sales at U.S. retailers (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/retail-sales-rebound-09-in-march-after-three-straight-declines-2015-04-14) rose in March by the largest amount in a year, rebounding after three straight monthly declines. However, the rebound was weaker than expected.

U.S. producer prices (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/march-producer-prices-rise-02-first-gain-since-october-2015-04-14) rose a seasonally adjusted 0.2% in March after four straight monthly declines, the Labor Department said Tuesday.

The NFIB small-business index for March fell to its lowest reading (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/small-business-optimism-slumps-to-nine-month-low-nfib-2015-04-14) in nine months. U.S. February business inventories ticked up 0.3%.

Other markets: Asian markets closed mixed (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid), while European stocks ended lower (http://www.marketwatch.com/storyno-meta-for-guid) almost across the board as investors remained concerned about Greece's bailout program.

Oil prices (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/oil-prices-keep-gaining-on-hopes-us-shale-supply-has-peaked-2015-04-14)(CLK5) rose and settled at the highest level in a week, up 2.7%, to $53.29 a barrel. Gold futures (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/gold-futures-lower-on-rate-hike-expectations-2015-04-14)(GCM5) settled 0.6% lower at $1,192.60. The dollar (DXY) fell against major rivals after weaker-than-expected retail sales.

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