A smaller than expected gain in January retail sales sent the markets down to a lower close with the Dow falling 41 points to 12,226. Nasdaq dropped 12 points to 2804.
On the upside
Billionaire investor and chairman of Sears Holdings (NYSE: SHLD) Edward Lambert acquired shares of H&R Block (NYSE: HRB).
Fourth quarter earnings surged for Marsh & McLennan (NYSE: MMC) to top analyst estimates as revenue rose.
