US stocks rose slightly on Friday as investors took heart in a report that the economy shed fewer jobs than expected in September. Blue chip gainers included oil company Exxon Mobil Corp and heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc.
Decliners included tech companies Apple Computer Inc and Research in Motion Ltd.
The Dow Jones industrial average was up 14 points, or 0.14 percent, at 10,301.19. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 3.45 points, or 0.29 percent, at 1,194.93. The technology-laced Nasdaq Composite Index was up 6.70 points, or 0.32 percent, at 2,090.78.