QBR.B:CC - Stocks Wrap up Winning First Quarter
Stocks rose Friday as the stock benchmark wrapped up a volatile, but winning quarter that saw more Federal Reserve rate tightening and a mini-financial panic spurred on by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank.
The Dow Jones Industrials strengthened 162.42 points to 33,021.45.
The S&P 500 climbed 22.76 points, to 4,073.59.
The NASDAQ leaped 94.38 points to 12,107.85.
The market got a slight boost Friday after the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge showed a less-than-expected increase in prices.
The core Personal Consumption Expenditures index, which excludes energy and food costs, rose 0.3% in February, less than the 0.4% expected by economists polled by Dow Jones.
The S&P 500 has gained 5.5% and NASDAQ is ahead 14.8%, for the first quarter through Thursday's close. The Dow is down slightly. For the month the S&P 500 is better by 2% and NASDAQ has gained 4.9%. The Dow, meanwhile, is up 0.6% through Thursday's close.
Prices for the 10-year Treasury were higher, lowering yields to 3.54% from Thursday 3.55%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Oil prices moved higher 67 cents to $75.04 U.S. a barrel.
Gold prices ditched $2.40 to $1,995.30 U.S. an ounce.