Wall Street ends higher after strong labor data

US stock indices closed the last session of the week solidly higher, with the tech sector leading the charge, while earlier data showed the unemployment rate steadied at 4.1% as expected in November, matching the October reading and holding at the lowest rate since December 2000.

US average hourly earnings rose 0.2% in November, missing expectations of a 0.3% rise, while improving from October's 0.1% dip, revised from no-change. 

The US economy added 228 thousand new jobs in November, beating expectations of 198 thousand, and compared to October's 244K, revised from 261K. 

Finally, the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment survey fell to 96.8 in December from 98.5 in November, revised from 97.8, while analysts expected 99.0.

The Federal Reserve will hold a much anticipated policy meeting on December 12-13, expected to raise interest rates in it after holding them steady in the November meeting between 1.0% and 1.25%. 

Otherwise, the White House asserted earlier today that both Republicans and Democrats have agreed to continue negotiations to fund the budget for two years, while the White House agreed to extend the funding temporarily to December 22 to avoid a shutdown of government.  

Dow Jones rose 0.35%, or 85.05 points to 23,296.53, while Standard and Poor's 500 climbed 0.43%, or 11.38 points to 2,648.36. NASDAQ Composite added 0.54%, or 36.53 points to 6,849.37. 

Gold futures due on February 16 dipped 0.24% to $1,250.10 an ounce from the opening of $1,253.10, while the dollar index rose 0.12% to 93.91 from the opening of 93.79. 

On another note, US West Texas Intermediate rose 1.16% to $57.35 a barrel from the opening of $56.69, while Brent futures due on February 15 rallied 1.86% to $63.36 a barrel from the opening of $62.20.