Stocks Higher as Worried Investors Take Breather



U.S. equities traded higher on Friday as traders hoped that concerns around Donald Trump's presidency may have been exaggerated.

The Dow Jones Industrials Average strengthened 143.33 points to 20,806.35, with Boeing and Caterpillar contributing the most gains.

The S&P 500 vaulted 19.41 points to 2,385.05, with information technology leading advancers. Industrials were also among the best performers, as shares of Deere rose more than 7% after posting quarterly results that easily beat expectations.

The NASDAQ rocketed 43.41 points to 6,098.54.

Trump made his first trip overseas since taking office on Friday, first traveling to Saudi Arabi, which is planning to buy billions of dollars worth of U.S. arms.

In economic news, there were no major data released Friday. However, St. Louis Federal Reserve President James Bullard said the central bank's plans to raise rates may be too fast.

Prices for the benchmark 10-year Treasury note were slightly lower, raising yields to 2.25% from Thursday’s 2.23%. Treasury prices and yields move in opposite directions.

Oil prices gained $1.04 at $50.39 U.S. a barrel

Gold prices slumped 20 cents at $1,252.60 U.S. an ounce.