Dow Slips 9, Nasdaq Closes Down 74
Stock indexes closed lower Friday as jobs data sparked uncertainty. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% after wavering between small gains and losses for much of the day. The modest drop snapped a three-day winning streak for the benchmark index. Even so, it managed a 0.8% gain for the week, less than half of the index’s loss last week.
With trading volume at three times normal levels, Disney shares were at $182.14, their highest point in nearly a month. Broader indices were largely flat.
Dow Picks Up 37, Nasdaq Slips 5
Stocks closed mixed Thursday as traders remained focused on the latest hope for a resolution to Europe’s debt crisis: this time, a weekend summit of European leaders.
An Energy Department report showed that gasoline consumption continues to grow despite sharp price increases at the pump. That gave the stock market some stimulation.
Stocks started the week with big gains Monday on a major telecommunications deal and signs that Japan’s nuclear crisis was stabilizing. The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 12,000 for the first time since a nuclear power plant in Japan failed following a massive earthquake and tsunami.
