Stocks Opened Higher after Strong Jobs Report

U.A. stocks opened higher on Friday, following a report on the labor market that came better than expectations.U.A. stocks opened higher on Friday, following a report on the labor market that came better than expectations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately added 91.45 points or 0.46%, to 19,976.36.The S&P 500 was up 7.62 points, or 0.33%, to 2,288.47. The Nasdaq Composite gained 13.82 points, or 0.25%, to 5,650.01.

The U.S. created 227,000 new jobs in January to mark the largest gain in four months, revealing an economy that still has plenty of vigor nearly eight years into a recovery that shows little sign of ending. Retailers, construction firms, financial companies and restaurants led the way in hiring in January, the government said Friday.

Amazon.com Inc.on Thursday said fourth-quarter profit jumped 55% to $749 million, topping the company’s own guidance. On the other hand, revenue increased 22% to $43.7 billion, hitting the midpoint of Amazon’s target, and below analysts’ expectations.