US Equities Close Higher Friday on Jobs, Consumer Sentiment Data

04:12 PM EST, 01/09/2026 (MT Newswires) -- US equity indexes closed higher Friday after data showed that the unemployment rate eased in December, while another report showed consumer sentiment improved in January.

* The US economy added fewer jobs than projected in December, while the unemployment rate fell, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said. Total nonfarm payrolls rose by 50,000 last month, compared to a Bloomberg survey consensus of 70,000. The unemployment rate eased to 4.4% in December from 4.5% in November.

* A University of Michigan survey showed that the US consumer sentiment improved in January to the highest since September. The main sentiment index rose to 54 from 52.9 in December. This compares with Bloomberg survey consensus of 53.5.

* February West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose $1.26 to $59.02 per barrel, while March Brent, the global benchmark, was last seen up $1.23 at $63.22.

* SanDisk (SNDK) shares rose 13%, the biggest gain on the S&P 500, in active trading.

* Strategy (MSTR) shares fell 5.8%, the largest decline on the Nasdaq.

MT Newswires does not provide investment advice. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.