By The Associated Press

(AP) - 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.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)