Encouraging news about the U.S. economy pushed stock prices higher on Wall Street Friday. A gauge of future economic activity rose more than analysts had expected, as did a measure of consumer confidence, adding to evidence that the economy is steadily recovering. The Dow Jones industrial average and the Standard & Poor's 500 index ended higher for a fourth straight week.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 121.18 points, or 0.8 percent, to close at 15,354.40.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 15.65, or 1 percent, to 1,666.12.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 33.72 points, or 1 percent, to 3,498.97.

For the week:

The Dow is up 235.91 points, or 1.6 percent.

The S&P 500 is up 32.42 points, or 2 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 62.39 points, or 1.8 percent.

For the year:

The Dow is up 2,250.26 points, or 17.2 percent.

The S&P 500 is up 239.93 points, or 16.8 percent.

The Nasdaq is up 479.46 points, or 15.9 percent.