1.   DOW RISES, NASDAQ FALLS The Dow Jones industrial average rose, its second higher close after four days of lower share prices.

2.   NEW ZEALAND STOCKS Optimism over recovering pulp and paper prices pushed New Zealand stocks to a higher close Friday.

3.   Spanish stocks were expected to rise as many investors return to trading following a Madrid holiday and a higher close in U.S. equities yesterday.

4.   The century-old Dow Jones industrial average last year marked six consecutive years of higher closes, which was unprecedented.

5.   Despite the higher close, caution over a possible U.S. interest rate hike deterred aggressive buying.

6.   HONG KONG stocks rallied to a sharply higher close on Wednesday, boosted by firmer markets elsewhere in Asia and technical buying.

7.   It was the second consecutive day of declines in energy futures, following five sessions of higher closes.

8.   Some dealers said the gains were largely technical and driven by the higher close on Wall Street overnight.

9.   Stocks surged to a sharply higher Thursday close in a late spurt led by gains in futures.

10.   The higher close of soyoil futures on the Chicago Board of Trade last night, also supported market sentiment, the dealer added.