Stocks Ended Higher, Posted Another Week of Solidly Gains

U.S. stocks ended sharply higher on Friday, buoyed by growing optimism that the U.S. and China can strike a trade truce ahead of the March 1 deadline. The Dow Industrial Average rose 443.86 points, or 1.74%, to 25,883.25. The S&P 500 advanced 29.87 points, or 1.09%, to 2,775.60. The Nasdaq Composite gained 45.46 points, or 0.61%, to 7,472.41. The Dow and the Nasdaq each logged an eighth consecutive week of gains, while the S&P 500 ended higher for a third straight week.

Oil futures gained Friday, lifting prices up by more than 5% for the week on signs of tighter global supplies and progress in trade talks between the U.S. and China. March West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $1.18, or 2.2%, to settle at $55.59 a barrel. April Brent added $1.68, or 2.6%, to $66.25 a barrel.