NEW YORK - After a volatile week, U.S. stocks closed nearly flat over five sessions as worries over the rate of Chinese growth and the stability of European economies mounted and ebbed.
The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 22.32 points, or 0.2 percent, at 11,203.5 on Friday. The measure rose 0.1 percent over the week. The Dow worked its way higher late in the session Friday as worries eased about the impact of more tightening in China. Many in the market already had braced for further curbs earlier in the week.
Boeing Co. was the measure's worst performer, with a 1.6 percent drop, while Walt Disney Co. was also weak, off 1.5 percent. Hewlett-Packard Co. climbed 1.9 percent ahead of its earnings report Monday.
The Nasdaq composite index added 3.72 points to 2,518.12. The Standard & Poor's 500 index edged up 3.04 points to 1,199.73.
Concerns gradually eased Friday after China raised its banks' reserve requirements for the second time in as many weeks. While markets plunged earlier this week on worries that tighter monetary policy in China could cut demand for U.S. goods and commodities, investors seemed hopeful China's rate of growth would remain strong.
The market's earlier decline Friday was also cushioned by comments from Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen, who said the second day of talks on a possible aid package with European counterparts was "going well."
MARKETWATCH
