On Friday, the major US stock indexes gained slightly against the publication of quarterly reports. The focus of investors were shares of AT & T (T), Starbucks (SBUX), Visa (V), General Electric (GE) and Honeywell (HON). The first three reports published neutral after the session Thursday. The last two reported before the start of the session. In the course of trading was also influenced by the US statistical data. It became known that the index of business activity in the manufacturing sector rose more than expected. The July data signaled a further recovery of business conditions across the US manufacturing industry. Preliminary manufacturing PMI index rose to 52.9 in July, compared with 51.3 in June, and pointed to the strong improvement in the general business environment.

Most components of the DOW index finished trading in positive territory (21 of 10). Outsider were shares of General Electric Company (GE, -1,72%). Most remaining shares increased American Express Company (AXP, + 1,36%).

Most of the S & P sectors showed an increase. Conglomerates sectors fell most (-0.3%). The leader turned utilities sector (+ 1.0%).

At the close:

Dow + 0.29% 18,570.85 +53.62

Nasda + 0.52% 5,100.16 +26.26

S & P + 0.46% 2,175.03 +9.86