The S&P 500 closed above 1500 for the first time since September 2000 on Thursday, ending the day a little more than 1% from its all-time closing high set in March 2000.
Strong productivity and services sector growth and restrained labor costs were behind the market’s latest milestone in its recovery from the 2000-2002 bear market, but traders will have April unemployment data to contend with Friday morning. Weak results from GMdid little to slow buying enthusiasm.
Symantecgained 5% on better than expected results and guidance, but JDSUtumbled 14% on a warning.
Andrew, Concur, Genesis Micro, Hypercom, RealNetworks, Sirenzaand Tekelcwere other earnings gainers.
Axcelis, Open Text, ValueClickand Verisigntraded lower on their quarterly results.
Verizonclimbed on a legal victory over Vonage.
The Nasdaq gained 7 to 2565, the S&P 500 climbed 6 to 1502, and the Dow rose 29 to 13,241. Volume declined to 3 billion shares on the NYSE, and rose to 2.24 billion on the Nasdaq. Advancing issues led by an 18-13 margin on the NYSE, and 15-14 on the Nasdaq. Upside volume was 65% on the NYSE, and 64% on the Nasdaq. New highs-new lows were 254-14 on the NYSE, and 164-48 on the Nasdaq.