Stocks Rally Friday, Dow Up 1.7%

The stock market rallied Friday after three big companies reported better-than-expected results.

Ford, Microsoft and American Express all reported results that were weak but still met or topped expectations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 135 points, or 1.7 percent, with more three hours left in the session. The S&P 500 index gained 13 points, or 1.6 percent. The Nasdaq composite gained 40 points, or 2.5 percent.

After six weeks of advances, stocks were flat to lower this week.

Source:  CNNMoney.com,  Stocks Rally on Result