Stocks advanced Friday as Disney's earnings beat and JCPenney's outlook helped offset worries about a drop in consumer sentiment. For the week, the Dow gained 2.5 percent, finishing at its highest level since Oct. 2008.

Stocks clawed higher Friday as solid earnings from Disney and JCPenney helped offset worries about a drop in consumer sentiment. It was a wobbly morning but by midday, the  Dow was up more than 100 points, or 1 percent.

Stocks wobbled Friday as investors juggled a drop in consumer confidence against solid earnings from Disney and JCPenney. They started the day higher, then retreated, then made another push higher.

Thursday's losses notwithstanding, Wall Street's major averages enter the Friday session with a chance to finish off their second consecutive week of gains.

Stocks struggled Thursday as investors juggled a weak holiday outlook from Wal-Mart and a drop in jobless claims. Techs clawed higher, with huge gains in JDS Uniphase and AMD.

Stocks struggled Thursday as investors juggled a weak holiday outlook from Wal-Mart and a drop in jobless claims. Techs clawed higher, with huge gains in JDS Uniphase and AMD.

Stocks wobbled Thursday as investors juggled a weak holiday outlook from Wal-Mart and a drop in jobless claims. Techs clawed higher after some big news out of the sector.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average looks set to stage a steady climb to 11,600 points, but it won't get there before Christmas, Daryl Guppy, CEO of Guppytraders.com, told CNBC Thursday.

U.S. futures remained slightly lower ahead of the open Thursday after Wal-Mart posted a 1.1 percent rise in third-quarter U.S. sales, compared to the same quarter last year, and U.S. mortgage applications pushed higher last week. 

The Dow rose for a sixth straight session Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Fed comments and strong Chinese economic data. Financial, material and IT stocks were the biggest gainers.

Stocks opened higher Wednesday as the dollar fell to its lowest level in 15 months and economic data out of China was strong.

Stock index futures pointed to another higher open on Wall Street Wednesday as the dollar hit a new 15-month low after Federal Reserve officials reinforced the view that rates will remain low for some time.

The Dow eked out a gain Tuesday in light, choppy trading following Monday's rally.  Health-care, utilities and materials were the best-performing sectors.

Stocks opened slightly lower Tuesday as investors took a breather after Monday's rally — but it was a short-lived breather with stocks bouncing back within the first hour of trading.

Futures indicated a slightly lower open for the U.S. stock market on Tuesday amongst mixed reports from corporates on earnings, outlook and employment and ahead of the Veterans Day.