NEW YORK — Wall Street moved sharply higher Wednesday after the Commerce Department reported an unexpected increase in retail sales last month and eased some concerns about consumers' willingness to spend despite economic uncertainty. The Dow Jones industrials rose nearly 180 points.

The 0.3 percent rise in January retail sales, which followed a drop during December, alleviated some of the market's worries that consumers were retrenching because of rising fuel prices, a faltering real estate sector and a choppy stock market. Analysts had expected a 0.3 percent decline in January sales.

However, another report from the department showed that U.S. business inventories grew a little more than expected in December. The data could be a sign of an involuntary buildup of unsold goods on store shelves amid the economic slowdown.

The inventories report was not enough to offset optimism during the session. Stocks have mostly risen in recent days as investors tried to determine whether Wall Street has reached a bottom after months of declines related to the housing and credit crisis, or whether further sluggishness in the economy will send stocks lower.

"So far this week there has been a positive bias, but I think what you're seeing is people taking a very cautious approach," said Scott Fullman, director of investment strategy at I.A. Englander & Co. "There is no great rush to jump in, and the preservation of capital is more important than growth at this moment."

He also said investors were encouraged by the government's latest plan to help homeowners falling behind on mortgage payments. U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Wednesday he believes the economy will remain on a growth path, and pledged "aggressive action" to help troubled homeowners.

The Dow rose 178.83, or 1.45 percent, to 12,552.24. The blue chip index finished at its highs of the session.

Broader indexes also moved higher. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 18.35, or 1.36 percent, to 1,367.21, and the Nasdaq composite rose 53.89, or 2.32 percent, to 2,373.93.

Bond prices dipped, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note, which moves opposite its price, at 3.70 percent from 3.66 percent on Tuesday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies.

Light, sweet crude oil rose 49 cents to settle at $93.27 on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The International Energy Agency cut its oil demand forecasts for this year due to the weakening U.S. economy.

Analysts said the market will likely be choppy as investors react to economic data through the next several weeks. Most important will be any reports that provides clues about the slumping housing market.

Michael Strauss, chief economist at CommonFund, said he'll be listening Thursday to see if Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke makes any projections about the housing market. Bernanke is scheduled to provide testimony before a Senate committee on banking and housing at 10 a.m. EST.

"I think Bernanke will be grilled more on housing, and one of the things he'll focus on is that the housing sector has had a much bigger impact on the economy than the Fed anticipated it would have," Strauss said. "The question is whether he dangles a carrot, and maybe even praises Congress, about the fiscal stimulus package."

President Bush on Wednesday signed a multibillion-dollar economic rescue package that means $300 to $1,200 rebates for many American households.

In corporate news, Coca-Cola Co. said its fourth-quarter earnings jumped 79 percent amid a 24 percent increase in revenue. The world's biggest beverage producer cited growth in its key soft-drink brands as well as in its water, sports drink and orange juice businesses. But Coke fell 53 cents to $59.39.

Applied Materials, the largest maker of semiconductor equipment, led technology stocks higher after it reported a surge in orders for machines that make flat screens. Shares of the company rose $1.84, or 10.2 percent, to $19.91.

Deere & Co. said fiscal first-quarter profit increased 54 percent as the heavy equipment maker posted strong international sales. However, shares fell 94 cents to $85.54.

Waste Management Inc. rose 91 cents to $34.04 after reporting its fourth-quarter earnings increased 26 percent. The nation's largest garbage hauler got a bounce from tax benefits and the sale of some operations. However, fuel prices ate into profits.

Also, the state oil company of Venezuela said it has halted sales of crude to Exxon Mobil Corp. in response to the U.S. company's drive to use the courts to seize billions of dollars in Venezuelan assets. The oil company rose $1.11 cents to $85.49.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 16.45, or 2.33 percent, to 721.93.

Advancing issues led decliners by a 2 to 1 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.41 billion shares, up from 1.36 billion shares on Tuesday.

Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.16 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.51 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.08 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.30 percent.