Traders sent stocks higher in midday trade Friday on a government report that showed solid jobs growth and tame inflation.
The Labor Department reported that the economy added 128,000 jobs in August, slightly better than expected. The unemployment rate ticked lower to 4.7%, and wage growth was a very subdued 0.1%, below 0.3% expectations. The report added to expectations that the Federal Reserve is done raising interest rates, at least for now.
Other reports showed consumer sentiment solid and manufacturing and construction slowing.
Intel Gateway Qualcomm Monster Intergraph Open Text In midday trade, the Nasdaq was up 9 to 2193, the S&P 500 climbed 5 to 1309, and the Dow gained 60 to 11,441. Volume was light at 803 million shares on the NYSE, and 638 million on the Nasdaq. Breadth was modestly positive, with advance-declines and up volume hovering around 55-60%. edged higher on reports that it could cut 10-20% of its workforce as soon as next week.
shed 2% after rejecting an offer for its retail business.
rose 2% after a court dismissed antitrust claims by Broadcom
.
lost 3% on a downgrade, and also sold its advertising and communications business.
soared 17% on a buyout offer.
, Wind River
and Vimpel
gained on their earnings reports, while Nam Tai
, OmniVision
and Peerless
fell on their results.
