U.S. stocks close higher amid data, earnings

NEW YORK, March 15 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks closed higher on Friday as investors digested The country's key economic data as well as The latest corporate earnings reports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 138.93 points, or 0.54 percent, to 25,848.87. The SP 500 rose 14.00 points, or 0.50 percent, to 2,822.48. The Nasdaq Composite Index rose 57.62 points, or 0.76 percent, to 7,688.53.

Business activity grew slightly in New York State, according to firms responding to The March 2019 Empire State Manufacturing Survey.

The headline general business conditions index fell five points to 3.7, missing analysts' estimates. It is also The lowest level in almost two years.

The new orders index fell five points to 3.0, indicating that orders grew at a slower pace than last month. The shipments index declined three points to 7.7, a level indicating that shipments grew modestly, though representing The lowest reading in more than two years.

The stock market gains this week were largely led by tech shares. Broadcom shares led The gains of semiconductors on Friday, rising more than 8 percent to close at 290.29 dollars apiece after The company reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings.