With the economy beginning to improve, high-end retailers are in a good position for recovery, a Goldman Sachs analyst said Monday.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  The Dow shed more than 50 points, or 0.5 percent, but still held above 10,000. The S&P and Nasdaq each lost about 0.6 percent.

Stocks retreated Tuesday after several earnings reports beat expectations but economic numbers missed their targets.  Apple and Caterpillar surged after their earnings blew past forecasts.

Futures were poised for a modestly higher open on the strength of more earnings surprises from some of Wall Street's leading companies.

Stocks ended slightly lower Tuesday, though the Nasdaq eked out a gain. And Citigroup shares soared.

Stocks skidded Tuesday after a report showed consumer confidence is waning amid worries about the job market. It was a struggle all morning as investors juggled another batch of disappointing earnings results against an encouraging report on the housing market.

Stock futures drifted slightly lower ahead of the open Tuesday as investors waited for the next batch of earnings and key economic data.