)
Stocks rose in a seesaw session on Friday after solid jobs data pointed to a strengthening economy, but the report also raised the odds the US Federal Reserve will begin to cut its stimulus measures within the next few months. Major indexes hit higher levels in early trading but pulled back and were nearly flat before advancing again. Volume was light. Sectors tied to the pace of economic growth and an improved outlook for lending advanced, including small-cap shares and banks.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 3.72 points, or 0.02 per cent, at 14,992.27. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 2.48 points, or 0.15 per cent, at 1,617.89. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 6.03 points, or 0.18 per cent, at 3,449.70. About 1.8 billion shares had changed hands on US exchanges as of 11:15 am, lighter than average.
