DOW - Stocks End Higher for Third Straight Week

Dow

12,391.25

+73.11

+0.59%

By: Abby Schultz

Stocks ended higher Friday, climbing just before the close, amid the monthly expiration of stock futures and options contracts and in the absence of major economic news or earnings.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 73.11 points, or 0.59 percent, to close at 12,391.25, the highest close since June 5, 2008. For the week, the blue-chip index gained 117.99 points this week, or 0.96 percent.


The S&P 500 gained 2.58 points, or 0.19 percent, to close at 1,343.01. For the week, the S&P 500 rose 13.86 points this week, or 1.04 percent.


The Nasdaq gained 2.37 points, or 0.08 percent, close at 2,833.95. For the week, the tech-heavy index rose 24.51 points this week, or 0.87 percent.


The CBOE Volatility Index, widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, fell below 17.