ROST - Dow Continues Upward Journey

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose Friday as investors pored over the latest earnings reports and tried to shake off tougher language from Federal Reserve speakers.

The 30-stock index jumped 163.73 points to 33,710.05

The S&P 500 regained 8.71 points to 3,955.27

The NASDAQ sank into the red, however, 23.81 points to 11,121.15.

All of the major averages are on pace for down weeks — the Dow is down 0.2% for the week, while the S&P is off 0.9% and NASDAQ is lower by 1.7%. All three indexes are positive for the month, however.

Ross Stores and Palo Alto Networks popped on Friday after the two companies posted their latest quarterly results. Investors also appeared to cheer Gap's most recent results.

Economically speaking, the Conference Board said its Leading Economic Index fell 0.8% in October, bringing its cumulative six-month decline to 3.2%, after rising 0.5% in the previous half-year.

Prices for the 10-year Treasury fell slightly, raising yields to 3.81% from Thursday's 3.77%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices flopped $2.46 to $79.18 U.S. a barrel.

Gold prices doffed $4.30 to $1,748.70 U.S. an ounce.