Analysts have tempered expectations for January’s employment figures, pointing to signs of slowing job creation in proxy data like the recent ADP private-sector report, which showed only modest gains to start the year.

Major stock indexes rose Tuesday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average setting a record for a third straight session. Meanwhile, Treasury yields ticked lower after delayed U.S. retail sales data for December were unchanged when a rise was expected.

Stocks drifted to a mixed finish after flirting with record highs. The S&P 500 fell 0.3% Tuesday after briefly rising above its all-time high, which was set a couple weeks ago.

The S&P 500 rose on Monday, boosted by technology stocks, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached new heights as investors awaited critical economic data and another batch of earnings reports following a volatile week that ended with the 30-stock index reaching a key milestone.

Markets extended gains on Monday, after suffering major losses days earlier.

U.S. stocks drifted higher following big rallies for markets in Asia earlier in the day. The S&P 500 rose 0.5% Monday and pulled closer to its all-time high set two weeks ago.

Investors are looking ahead to the January jobs report, due Wednesday morning. The results could be a key catalyst for the market.

President Donald Trump hailed a historic Wall Street milestone Friday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 50,000 for the first time, a surge he attributed to his administration's aggressive trade policies.

Value sectors lift US stocks with the Dow at a record high, Nasdaq nearing its 50-day MA, and standout moves from Disney, AmEx, TSMC, and Coca-Cola driving market focus.