Stocks Ended Higher on Friday and the Week

U.S. stocks ended higher on Friday and the week, on expectations that a weaker-than-expected rise in August nonfarm payrolls could dull the Federal Reserve’s desire to further raise borrowing costs in 2017. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 39.46 points, or 0.2%, to 21,987.56 and posted a weekly gain of 0.8%. The S&P 500 added 4.90 points, or 0.20%, to 2,476.55 and booked a weekly gain of 1.3%. The Nasdaq Composite gained 6.67 points, or 0.10%, to 6,435.33, posting a weekly gain of 2.7%.

Oil prices edged up Friday, but settled with a fifth-straight week loss as traders weighed storm system Harvey’s effect on crude production and refinery demand in the Gulf of Mexico region. October West Texas Intermediate crude rose 6 cents, or 0.1%, to settle at $47.29 a barrel, but ended the week with a loss of 1.2%. November Brent gave up 11 cents, or 0.2%, to $52.75, with the contract ending about 1.5% higher on the week.