Stocks Mixed after Payroll Data

U.S. stocks mixed on Friday morning after the government’s report on September nonfarm payrolls came in better than predicted. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately  rose 29.82 points to 11,153.15. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index was off 3.31 points to  1,161.66. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 22.05 points to 2,484.77.

Nonfarm payrolls increased by 103,000, while economists expected 60,000, and the unemployment rate held steady at 9.1 percent, The government report also showed 99,000 more jobs added in July and August than initially reported.

Apple Inc. is taking pre-orders for its new iPhone 4S starting on Friday, allowing fans who can’t wait to snag the company’s latest gadget a chance to order it in advance and receive it when it goes on sale in a week. The iPhone 4S has a faster processor, a better camera and a voice-activated personal assistant service called Siri. It also runs the latest version of Apple’s iOS mobile software, iOS 5, as well as its new iCloud content syncing service.

A dozen British banks saw their credit ratings downgraded Friday over doubts over the strength of the government’s support, in another sign that the banking sector is facing renewed stresses.