Markets post lean gains on GDP estimate

In the second of three estimates on the county's GDP, the Bureau of Economic Analysis said consumer spending rose 1.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2009, a positive figure, but not as strong as the 2.8 rise in the previous quarter.

In early afternoon trading, the Dow Jones industrial average added 7.03 points or 0.07 percent to 10,328.06. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 1.42 points, 0.13 percent to 1,104.36. The Nasdaq composite index was up 3.03 or 0.14 percent to 2,237.25.

The benchmark 10-year Treasury rose 10/32 to yield 3.597 percent.

The euro rose to $1.362 from Thursday's $1.3558. Against the yen, the dollar fell to 88.94 yen from Thursday's 89.10 yen.

In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index rose 0.24 percent, 24.07, to 10,126.03.

In Britain, the FTSE 100 index rose 1.45 percent, 76.30 points, to 5,354.52.

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