NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
Stocks closed little changed Friday at the end of a shortened post-holiday session.
The Dow Jones industrial average (up 1.92 to 10,522.23, Charts), the Standard & Poor's 500 (up 0.89 to 1,182.65, Charts) index and the Nasdaq composite (down 0.57 to 2,101.97, Charts) all closed near breakeven.
The major indexes had been flat for most of the session, although they did manage a brief rally in late morning.
Stock and bond markets were closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and both saw shortened sessions Friday. Commodities markets were closed Friday.
The day's biggest event was "Black Friday," the kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Early reports from retailers have been positive, but some analysts say the rush is likely to ease up through the weekend. (For more on "Black Friday," click here.)
Market breadth was positive and volume was very light, with many Wall Street professionals enjoying a four-day weekend.
On the New York Stock Exchange, advancers beat decliners nearly 3 to 2 on volume of 501 million shares. On the Nasdaq, winners beat losers by more than 4 to 3 on volume of 680 million shares.
For the week, all three major indexes closed with modest gains. For the Dow and S&P 500, this extended the winning streak to five weeks, and for the Nasdaq, it extended the advance to six weeks.
Next week, Wall Street returns to full speed, with a slew of economic reports due, highlighted by next Friday's November employment report. Intel's mid-quarter update Tuesday evening will also be of interest.
Friday's market
The focus on holiday shopping was helpful to select retailers, with Saks (up $0.85 to $14.64, Research) up more than 6 percent and JC Penny (up $0.43 to $40.56, Research) up 1 percent.
Among other movers, steel shares rose across the board on supply concerns. Nucor (up $2.90 to $54.05, Research) and Allegheny Technologies (up $2.15 to $22.93, Research) both gained.
Oil and aluminum shares were higher as well, including Dynegy (up $0.33 to $5.86, Research) and Dow component Alcoa (up $0.89 to $34.64, Research).
Techs were mixed, with Internet shares the most buoyant and chips declining, despite positive industry news.
In a good sign for the chip sector, the Semiconductor Industry Association's monthly sales report showed a 22 percent year-over-year sales increase in October. Sales rose 1.5 percent from September.
Intel (down $0.40 to $23.21, Research) fell 1.7 percent and the Philadelphia Semiconductor (down 2.67 to 430.98, Charts) index fell 0.6 percent.
Among other movers, Genta (down $0.38 to $1.27, Research) fell 23.6 percent in active Nasdaq trade. The cancer drug developer said a late stage study of Genasense, its treatment for multiple myeloma, a blood cancer, didn't show any benefit over regular therapy.
In currency trading, the dollar held above new all-time lows versus the euro, hit overnight, and also edged above a fresh 4-1/2 year low versus the yen hit overnight.
Brent crude rose 33 cents to $44.81 a barrel in London. U.S. commodities markets were closed.
Treasury prices fell, pushing the 10-year-note yield up to 4.25 percent from 4.20 percent late Wednesday. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.
Overseas, Asian markets closed lower, while Australian markets rose. European shares closed mostly lower.
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