Markets Right Now: Stocks rise with banks, automakers

The latest on developments in financial markets (All times local):

4 p.m.

U.S. stocks are finishing higher for the sixth day in a row as a relatively weak jobs report helps banks, car companies, retailers and others.

The Labor Department said Friday that employers added 156,000 jobs in August. Investors felt that will help make sure the Federal Reserve won't raise interest rates too quickly.

Fiat Chrysler gained 4.8 percent as automakers said their sales improved in August.

Banks rose with bond yields and interest rates. JPMorgan Chase rose 0.8 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index picked up 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,476.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 39 points, or 0.2 percent, to 21,988. The Nasdaq composite set another record high as it added 6 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,435.

____

11:45 a.m.

U.S. stocks are higher for the sixth consecutive day as investors are comforted rather than troubled by a slightly weak jobs report.

U.S. employers added 156,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department said Friday. But investors appeared to be pleased at the prospect the Federal Reserve will leave interest rates lower.

Automakers rose as they reported their sales for the month of August. Fiat Chrysler jumped 4.6 percent.

Banks rose with bond yields and interest rates. JPMorgan Chase rose 1.4 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index picked up 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,475.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 44 points, or 0.2 percent, to 21,992. The Nasdaq composite, which finished at a record high a day ago, added 3 points, or 0.1 percent, to 6,432.

____

9:35 a.m.

U.S. stocks are advancing in early trading after the government's latest jobs report didn't trouble investors.

The Labor Department said Friday that U.S. employers added 156,000 jobs in August, a bit less than analysts anticipated. But that didn't change Wall Street's view of the still-growing economy.

Automakers rose as they reported their sales for the month of August. Ford jumped 2.4 percent and General Motors gained 1.7 percent.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index picked up 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,475. The index rose the past five days.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 50 points, or 0.2 percent, to 21,998.

The Nasdaq composite, which finished at a record high a day ago, added 15 points, or 0.2 percent, to 6,444.