U.S. stocks struggle for direction after opening, but on pace for weekly advance

U.S. stocks were struggling for direction soon after the opening bell Friday, but all three major benchmarks are heading for weekly advances. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was trading flat, while the S&P 500 gained 0.1% and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 0.1%, according to FactSet data, at last check. Stocks surged Thursday after fresh data showed that inflation in October was softer than expected, with the major benchmarks booking their biggest percentage gains since 20202. For the week, the Dow is heading for 4% gain, the S&P 500 is up 5% and the Nasdaq on pace to advance 5.9%, FactSet data show, at last check. While the U.S. stock market is open for trade on Friday as the country commemorates Veterans Day, the bond market is closed for the holiday.

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