On Friday, despite the very disappointing jobs data released by the Federal Government, stocks across the US managed to close marginally higher. According to the employment data released, there had been more-than-expected job cuts during the month of December.

While Coca-Cola and Boeing were hurt by analysts' negative ratings, industrial shares, including those of Caterpillar, jumped as American wholesale inventories suddenly rose and United Parcel Service boosted its earnings guidance for the fourth quarter.

A rise of 11.33 points, or 0.11%, was recorded by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which closed at 10618.19 points, hitting a new 15 month high. For this week alone, the index has managed to rise 190.14 points, or 1.82%, making this the first time since 2006 that the Dow surged during the year's first 5 sessions.

While Caterpillar hiked by 67 cents, or 1.1%, Boeing fell by 60 cents, or 1%. Coca-Cola also slipped by 1.9%. But overall, the US stocks were mostly in the positive territory.

NASDAQ Composite, the technology-based index, surged by 17.12 points, or 0.74%, to 2317.17, a closing high of 16 months, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 3.29, or 0.29%, to
1144.98 points, its highest close since October 1, 2008.