U.S. stocks rise more than 3% for week; Dow up 124 to to 12,293.85
from MarketWatch.com - MarketPulse SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks surged into the close Friday, lifting gains for the week above 3%, on a combination of low volumes, better U.S. economic data and relief over the congressional extension of the payroll tax cut. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 124.20 points, or 1%, to 12,293.85. It gained 3.6% for the week, the third up week in four. The S&P 500 rose 11.33 points, or 0.9%, to 1,265.33, up 3.7% for the week. The Nasdaq Composite added 19.19 points, or 0.7%, to 2,618.64, up 2.5% for the week. U.S. stock markets are closed Monday for the Christmas holiday.