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Intel ( INTC ) up after report new CEO plots overhaul of

manufacturing,

AI operations

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February retail sales rise 0.2%

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New York factory activity tumbles in March

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Indexes up : Dow up 0.91%, S&P 500 up 0.69%, Nasdaq 0.33%

(Updates to mid-afternoon trading)

By Chuck Mikolajczak

NEW YORK, March 17 (Reuters) -

U.S. stocks climbed in choppy trading on Monday, after four

straight weeks of declines for the Nasdaq and S&P 500, as

investors assessed the latest economic data to gauge the impact

of the Trump administration's policies.

Retail sales rebounded marginally in February, but fell

short of expectations, reflecting the increasing uncertainty

over tariffs and large-scale firing of federal government

employees. A separate report showed factory activity in New York

State plummeted this month by the most in nearly two years.

"The only signs of a bounceback in spending from January's

weather-induced slump, and stocking up ahead of tariffs, was in

online spending," said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex

Wealth Management in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.

"Sentiment is often a horrible predictor of spending,

but the good vibes that have propped up spending are now a

distant memory."

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 375.48

points, or 0.91%, to 41,864.81, the S&P 500 gained 38.96

points, or 0.69%, to 5,677.90 and the Nasdaq Composite

gained 58.65 points, or 0.33%, to 17,812.74.

In addition, U.S. homebuilder sentiment dropped to a

seven-month low in March as tariffs on imported materials raised

construction costs.

The data came ahead of the Federal Reserve's meeting on

Wednesday, in which it is widely expected to keep rates

unchanged, according to CME's FedWatch Tool.

Fed officials will also announce

economic projections

with their policy statement, giving the most tangible

evidence yet of how U.S. central bankers view the likely impact

of Trump administration policies that have clouded a previously

solid economic outlook.

Stocks have tumbled in recent weeks, with the S&P 500

dropping last week by more than 10% from its February record

high, commonly known as a correction. The market rebounded on

Friday as investors shopped for shares that may fare better

under Trump's policies.

The blue-chip Dow index stood slightly more than 3% away

from a correction after recent gains over the past two sessions.

Nearly all of the 11 major S&P sectors were higher, with

consumer discretionary, the worst performer on the

year, the sole decliner on the session.

Over the weekend, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

warned in an interview that there are "no guarantees" the United

States will escape a recession.

Tesla stumbled nearly 5% after brokerage Mizuho

lowered its price target on the EV maker's stock to $430 from

$515, which is down more than 40% on the year.

Quantum computing stocks such as D-Wave Quantum ( QBTS ) and

Quantum Corp ( QMCO ) jumped about 9% and 26%, respectively, as

AI chip firm Nvidia's ( NVDA ) kicked off its annual conference.

Intel ( INTC ) rose 7.4% after Reuters reported incoming CEO

Lip-Bu Tan has considered significant changes to its chip

manufacturing methods and artificial intelligence strategies.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners for a 4.29-to-1 ratio

on the NYSE and a 2.22-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq.

The S&P 500 posted nine new 52-week highs and one new low,

while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 36 new highs and 103 new

lows.