04:02 PM EDT, 07/16/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Tuesday as markets analyzed official retail sales data for June and the latest corporate earnings.

* US retail sales were flat last month following an upwardly revised 0.3% rise in May. Analysts were modeling a 0.3% decrease, according to a consensus survey compiled by Bloomberg.

* The National Association of Home Builders' monthly housing market index fell to 42 in July from 43 in June, compared with expectations for no change in a Bloomberg survey. The index was below 56 a year earlier. Business inventories rose 0.5% in May, right on expectations in a Bloomberg survey, compared with a 0.3% increase in the previous month.

* August West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell $1.09 to $80.82 per barrel, while August Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen down $1.06 at $83.79.

* UnitedHealth Group ( UNH ) shares were up 6.6% as it logged stronger-than-expected Q2 results, while lowering its full-year GAAP earnings guidance amid increased costs and revenue disruptions tied to a cyberattack in February.

* Charles Schwab ( SCHW ) was down 10% after the financial services company's Q2 sales rose less than expected as net interest revenue -- which is its biggest top-line contributor -- declined year over year.