Stocks Ended Mixed Friday and Posted Weekly Declines

U.S. stocks ended mixed on Friday, with major benchmarks logging modest weekly declines, as investors continued to eye commentary from officials around stimulus talks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 28.09 points, or 0.10%, to 28,335.57. The S&P 500 gained 11.90 points, or 0.34%, to 3,465.39. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 42.28 points, or 0.37%, to 11,548.28. For the week, the Dow lost 0.9%, the S&P 500 was down 0.5% and the Nasdaq lost 1.1%.

Oil fell on Friday, with increasing exports from Libya, uncertainty over another U.S. relief plan and worries about crude demand prompting U.S. prices to settle below $40 a barrel for the first time in nearly three weeks. West Texas Intermediate crude for December delivery fell 79 cents, or 1.9%, to settle at $39.85 a barrel and saw a 3.1% weekly fall. December Brent crude lost 69 cents, or 1.6%, closing at $41.77 a barrel and declined by 2.7% for the week.