(Reuters) - The S&P 500 index retreated from near a seven-month high Tuesday after weaker-than-expected January U.S. retail sales data curbed investors' appetite for risky assets.

U.S. retail sales rose less than expected in January as consumers cut back on car purchases and shopped less online.

The disappointing data added to concerns stemming from Moody's downgrade Monday of ratings on six euro-zone countries.

"The state of the consumer is still pretty mild. We have had some good economic news but still pretty mild trends all around," said Sean Incremona, an economist at 4CAST in New York.

The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 28.01 points, or 0.22 percent, at 12,846.03. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 3.97 points, or 0.29 percent, at 1,347.80. The Nasdaq Composite Index.IXIC was down 10.23 points, or 0.35 percent, at 2,921.16.

On Monday, the S&P 500 rose near a seven-month high, up more than 25 percent from a low in early October. The benchmark index is hitting strong resistance in the 1,355-1,360 area, a possible trigger for a pullback.

Pressuring the financial sector, Citigroup downgraded Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) to "neutral" from "buy," saying earnings headwinds would continue at the company even as capital concerns subside. Bank of America shares were down 1.1 percent at $8.16.

(Editing by Padraic Cassidy)

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