Stocks Ended Mixed as Investors Sized Up Earnings

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Friday, as investors sized up the latest crop of company earnings. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 21.23 points, or 0.12%, to 18,003.75. The S&P 500 added l0.10 point to 2,091.58. The Nasdaq Composite slid 39.66 points, or 0.80%, to 4,906.23.

Volkswagen AG dramatically increased its charge to 2015 earnings for costs of an emissions-cheating scandal, resulting in its worst annual loss, as authorities world-wide pursue new crackdowns on it and other car makers. Germany’s largest auto maker reported a net loss of €1.58 billion ($1.77 billion) last year, stemming from a €16.9 billion charge to earnings.

Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 1.1 million cars and midsize SUVs worldwide because their gear shifters may confuse drivers and allow them to exit their vehicles without placing them in “park.” The recall covers the 2012- 2014 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans and the 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV. FCA is recalling 811,586 vehicles in the U.S. and 317,616 elsewhere.

Oil prices rose on Friday and notched their third straight week of gains as market sentiment turned more upbeat amid signs a persistent global supply glut may be easing. Brent futures ended the session up 1.3 percent at $45.11 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude settled up 1.3 percent at $43.73 a barrel.

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