Dow makes it six straight

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Stocks gained Thursday, with the Dow and Nasdaq ending higher for the sixth session in a row on light trading volume ahead of the long holiday weekend. Gains were limited by anticipation about Friday's monthly employment report, which is likely to influence trading early next week. The Dow Jones industrial average (up 30.15 to 12,560.20, Charts) added 0.2 percent, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.5 percent. Both have now closed higher for 6 sessions in a row. The broader S&P 500 (up 4.39 to 1,443.76) index gained 0.3 percent and has now closed higher for five out of the last six sessions. All three major gauges ended higher for the week as well, thanks largely to Tuesday's big rally, which was sparked by slumping oil prices and a strong read on pending U.S. home sales. For the week, the Dow gained 1.7 percent, the Nasdaq gained 2.1 percent and the S&P gained 1.6 percent. Treasury prices slipped, raising the corresponding yields. The dollar fell versus the euro and was barely changed versus the yen. Oil prices ended a bit lower and gold prices ended higher.