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.

A late rally pushed stocks higher Tuesday following better-than-expected earnings from several Dow components. The Dow logged its seventh-straight gain, the Nasdaq, it's tenth.

The Dow advanced Tuesday as a slew of components beat earnings expectations. But there were pockets of weakness throughout the market, including chips, hardware, banks and retail. The Nasdaq was lower.

The Dow bolted out of the gate Tuesday as a slew of components beat earnings expectations. But there were pockets of weakness throughout the market, including chips, hardware, banks and retail. The Nasdaq was lower.

Futures indicated a slightly lower open for Wall Street Tuesday ahead of a slew of earnings and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's Capitol Hill testimony.

Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's on Wednesday cut ratings on 18 banks amid concern about further weakening in the financial sector.