US indexes inch higher

Associated Press

NEW YORK

U.S. stock indexes nudged higher Friday after energy companies clawed back some of their sharp losses from earlier in the week.

Energy stocks led the way, and those in the S&P 500 climbed 0.8 percent for the largest gain of the 11 sectors that make up the index.

Rising prices for oil and natural gas drove the gains.

Benchmark U.S. crude added 27 cents to settle at $43.01 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, gained 32 cents to $45.54 and natural gas rose 4 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $2.93 per 1,000 cubic feet.

EQT, a producer of natural gas and crude, had the day’s biggest gain in the S&P 500 and jumped $4.16, or 8 percent, to $56.19. Cabot Oil & Gas climbed 88 cents, or 3.8 percent, to $23.74.

What kept broad indexes afloat for the week were big gains for health care and technology stocks. The S&P 500 rose 0.2 percent for the week.

Friday’s biggest decliner in the S&P 500 was Bed Bath & Beyond.