U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average logging its seventh straight weekly gain. The Dow rose 14.93 points, or 0.07%, to 19,933.81. The S&P 500 climb 2.83 points, or 0.13%, to 2,263.79. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 15.27 points, or 0.28%, to 5,462.69.
New U.S. single-family home sales rose more than expected in November and consumer sentiment hovered near a 13-year high this month, strengthening the view that the economy will gain further momentum next year.
The Commerce Department on Friday said new home sales increased 5.2 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 592,000 units last month. That was the second highest pace since 2007.
Separately, the University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment index edged up to a reading of 98.2 from 98 earlier this month. That was the highest reading since January 2004.
Crude-oil prices on Friday ticked modestly higher, enough to register a 52-week high in abbreviated trade ahead of the holiday weekend. West Texas Intermediate futures ended up 7 cents, or 0.1%, at $53.02 a barrel. Brent crude added 11 cents, or 0.2%, to end at $55.16 a barrel.
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