Last updated March 12, 2010: 4:10 PM ET --- The major U.S. equity indices traded mixed Friday after mixed economic reports failed to inspire investors. The Commerce Department said retail sales rose 0.3% last month, and 0.8% excluding auto sales. The Commerce Department also reported that business inventories were unchanged. Economists had expected an increase. The preliminary Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index for March fell to 72.5 from 73.6 in February. In corporate news, Charles Schwab (NASDAQ:SCHW) shares fell 3.6% after the company warned that its Q1 earnings will fall short of Q4 levels as it continues to battle revenue pressures. Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO) shares rose 4.2% after the company said Q4 earnings rose 42% on better margins and continually strong sales. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) closed 0.12% higher at 10,624.69, the S&P500 (INX) closed 0.02% lower at 1,149.99, and the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) closed 0.03% lower at 2,367.66.