An unexpectedly strong report on US payrolls propelled stocks higher on Friday for the first time this week, but indexes retreated from highs after speculation Greece might leave the eurozone. But stocks came off highs after a German news report, later denied, that Greece had raised the possibility of leaving the eurozone.
The Dow Jones industrial average gained 78.26 points, or 0.62 percent, to 12,662.43. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index rose 7.99 points, or 0.60 percent, to 1,343.09. The Nasdaq Composite added 21.18 points, or 0.75 percent, to 2,835.90. Earlier, the three major indexes were up more than 1 percent. The S&P is on track to post its worst week since mid March. A massive sell-off in commodities on Thursday forced investors out of high-risk assets and put into question the equities rally. The Reuters/Jefferies commodities index was down 0.3 percent Friday, extending its 4.9 percent slide from Thursday.