Wall Street rises on data
Encouraging economic indicators sent US stocks higher, but the market's recent struggles are set to continue into next week when more than one-fifth of S&P 500 companies report results.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 56.68 points, or 0.46 percent, to 12,341.83. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 5.16 points, or 0.39 percent, to 1,319.68. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 4.43 points, or 0.16 percent, to 2,764.65.
European stocks ended slightly higher, but posted their first weekly loss in a month as the return of worries over the euro zone debt crisis prompted investors to book recent lofty gains on peripheral equities.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index of top European shares ended 0.3 percent higher at 1,131.72 points, while posting a loss of 1.5 percent for the week.
Japan's Nikkei stock average fell in thin trade, with chip stocks leading losses after ratings downgrades.Disappointing US jobs data, concerns of further Chinese tightening, and the re-emergence of Europe's debt woes have also weakened sentiment toward equities.
The benchmark Nikkei average ended down 0.7 percent, or 62.40 points, at 9,591.52 -- dipping below the settlement of April options prices last week at 9,612.51. The broader Topix shed 0.6 percent to 841.29.
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