DOW

Dow

12,130.45

+61.95

+0.51%

By: Abby Schultz, JeeYeon Park

Stocks broke three consecutive sessions of losses to end higher amid light volume, led by financial and tech stocks, and as oil prices stabilized.

But the major indices ended the week with big percentage declines, ending a streak of gains that had lasted three weeks. Stocks still were in positive territory for the month and year.


The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 61.95 points, or 0.5 percent, Friday, to close at 12,130.45. For the week, the blue-chip index fell 260.8 points, or 2.1 percent, the biggest weekly percentage drop since mid-November.

The S&P 500 gained 13.78 points, or 1.06 percent on Friday to close at 1,319.88. For the week, the broad market index fell 23.13 points or 1.72 percent, the biggest weekly percentage drop since mid-November.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq gained 43.15 points, or 1.6 percent, to close at 2,781.05. For the week, the Nasdaq fell 52.90 points or 1.9 percent, its biggest weekly percentage drop since the week of Jan. 21.

The CBOE Volatility Index, widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, sank almost 10 percent to nearly 19 on Friday, but it rose nearly 17 percent for the week.