Dow redefines the high ground

The Dow Jones index flew higher Friday after the Labor Department said the U.S. economy added 236,000 jobs and the jobless rate fell to 7.7 percent in February. After establishing all-time record closing highs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, the Dow Jones industrial average bolted out of the gate Friday. Although gains settled down by midday, the Dow remained ahead on the day, establishing a fourth all-time closing record in the same week. By close of trading, the DJIA added 67.58 points, or 0.47 percent, to 14,379.07. The Standard and Poor's 500 index added 6.92 points, or 0.45 percent, to 1,551.18. The Nasdaq composite gained 12.28 points, or 0.38 percent, to 3,244.37. On the New York Stock Exchange, 2,031 stocks advanced and 1,003 declined on a volume of 3.6 billion shares traded. The 10-year U.S. treasury note fell 16/32 to yield 2.059 percent. Against the dollar, the euro fell to $1.2999 from Thursday's $1.3107. Against the yen, the dollar was higher at 96.02 yen from 94.83 yen. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 rose 2.64 percent on a gain of 315.54 points, to 12,283.62. In London, the FTSE 100 index added 0.69 percent, 44.42 points, to 6,483.58.