The markets closed flat over disappointing retail sales and rising oil prices. The Dow added two points to 13,552 while Nasdaq gained 11 points to 2724.

On the upside

A rally of the renewable energy sector lifted shares of DayStar Technologies (Nasdaq: DSTI) higher.

Shares of MBIA (NYSE: MBI) rose despite being placed on credit negative watch by Fitch Ratings last week for a possible downgrade.

Comerica Bank will increase Akeena Solar's (Nasdaq: AKNS) credit line from $7.5 million to $25 million.

On the downside

Shares of specialty department store retailer Stage Stores (NYSE: SSI) tumbled over disappointing holiday retail sales.

Weak holiday retail sales weighed down shares of Dillard's (NYSE: DDS).

Disappointing holiday retail sales weighed down shares of Brown Shoe Co. (NYSE: BWS).

In the broad market, advancing issues edged out decliners by a slim margin on the NYSE while advancers outpaced decliners by a margin of 9 to 7 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks rose 3 points to 797.