US stocks edged higher on Friday on talk the European Central Bank might add liquidity to shore up the region's vulnerable banking system but persisting worries about a global recession kept markets volatile. Concerns about the sovereign debt crisis in Europe have contributed to recent equity losses, with both the Dow and S&P off more than 6 percent, and the Nasdaq down more than 5 percent this week.
The Dow Jones industrial average was down 3.52 points, or 0.03 percent, at 10,730.31. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 3.79 points, or 0.34 percent, at 1,133.35. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 14.58 points, or 0.59 percent, at 2,470.25. Despite its losses this week, the S&P was above an August 8 low of 1,119, which technical analysts view as a support level. Gains in the Nasdaq were helped by strength in Internet names Yahoo Inc, up 4 percent to $14.52, and Ctrip.com International Ltd, adding nearly 5 percent to $34.26.