Stocks Ended Higher, S&P and Nasdaq at Records

U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday, as S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at record and the Dow industrials came within a fraction of breaching the 20,000 mark, following a December U.S. jobs report that investors interpreted as generally positive. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 64.51 points, or 0.32%, to 19,963.80. The S&P 500 gained 7.98 points, or 0.35%, to 2,276.98. The Nasdaq Composite added 33.12 points, or 0.60%, to 5,521.06.

New orders for U.S.-made goods fell in November, weighed down by a plunge in the volatile civilian aircraft category, but the underlying trend suggested manufacturing is gradually firming. Factory goods orders declined 2.4 percent, the Commerce Department said on Friday after an upwardly revised 2.8 percent increase in October.

Oil futures finished modestly higher Friday, with prices extending their streak of gains to a fourth straight week amid ongoing signs of compliance with a global pact to cut production. February West Texas Intermediate crude rose 23 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $53.99 a barrel. The March contract for Brent crude edged up by 21 cents, or 0.4%, to finish at $57.10 a barrel.

Apple Inc. said Chief Executive Tim Cook and other leaders received less total compensation in 2016 as the company missed its revenue and profit goals for the year.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Friday that the chief executive of Sam’s Club will leave the company next month. After five years in the role, Rosalind Brewer is the longest-serving CEO of Sam’s Club, Wal-Mart’s wholesale chain.