Stocks Posted Modest Weekly Gains

U.S. stocks ended mostly lower on Friday, but still eked out small weekly gains, as weakness in shares of mining and chemical companies, along with a rise in active oil rigs, blunted an advance in the energy sector and rising oil prices. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 37.05 points, or 0.20%, to 18,576.47, but gained 0.2% over the week. The S&P 500 retreated 1.74 points, or 0.08%, to 2,184.05 and ended the week roughly where it started. The Nasdaq Composite was up 4.50 points, or 0.09%, to 5,232.89 and gained 2.3% over the week.

Oil futures ended sharply higher Friday, with West Texas Intermediate crude prices closing at a three-week high, and posting their largest weekly gain in about four months. September West Texas Intermediate gained $1, or 2.3%, to close at $44.49 a barrel. Brent crude for October delivery added 93 cents, or 2%, to finish at $46.97 a barrel.