inputs: Stocks Up on Earnings, Data; Oil Weighs  NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. stocks were higher on Tuesday,  boosted by strong earnings from Home Depot Inc. &lt;A HREF="http://www.investor.reuters.com/FullQuote.aspx?ticker=HD.N target=/stocks/quickinfo/fullquote"&gt;HD.N&lt;/A&gt; and two  separate economic reports that showed inflationary pressure was  held in check and U.S. housing starts rebounded sharply in  July.