Stocks were little changed Friday, ending mixed, as investors welcomed a surprising increase in U.S. retail sales but showed caution as the three major indexes lingered below recent 18-month highs. U.S. retail sales rose 0.3 percent in February, the government reported, following a 0.1 percent gain in January. Sales excluding autos rose a much bigger-than-expected 0.8 percent last month after rising 0.5 percent in January. In a second report, the University of Michigan's consumer-sentiment index fell to 72.5 in early March from 73.6 the previous month. Economists had expected the index to rise. In other economic news, President Barack Obama reportedly wants to nominate San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President Janet Yellen to be the next Fed vice chairman. If nominated and confirmed, she would replace Donald Kohn, who is retiring in late June. --MORE
