US stocks flat; P&G rises on activist stake

US stocks were little changed early Wednesday following data showing higher retail sales and consumer inflation, while Procter & Gamble rose as a leading activist disclosed a stake in the company.

US consumer inflation in January jumped by the largest amount in four years, and the 0.6 percent increase was the third consecutive monthly acceleration.

Retail sales for the same period rose 0.4 percent, better than analysts had forecast.

About 15 minutes into trading, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 20,533.93, up 0.1 percent.

The broad-based S&P 500 was down a hair at 2,337.23, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.1 percent at 5,785.48.

US stocks have closed at records the last four days.

P&G jumped 3.3 percent on news that activist investor Trian Fund Management led by Nelson Peltz holds 6.4 million shares worth $575 million in the consumer products giant, according to a securities filing.

Some news reports said Trian has added to the stake since the filing deadline and now holds more than $3 billion in shares. Trian is known for pushing companies to reorganize businesses and return funds to shareholders.

Airline shares were lifted by news that Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway boosted investments in American Airlines, United Continental and Delta Air lines. All three companies rose more than 1.5 percent.