U.S. stocks end higher, S&P 500 closes above 5,000 for first time ever

NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks ended mixed on Friday, while the benchmark S&P 500 index surpassed the 5,000 level at close, buoyed by robust earnings reports and positive economic updates.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 54.64 points, or 0.14 percent, to 38,671.69. The S&P 500 added 28.70 points, or 0.57 percent, to 5,026.61 for the first time ever. The Nasdaq Composite Index increased 196.95 points, or 1.25 percent, to 15,990.66, closing shy of marking its first record in over two years.