Dow industrials hit five-year peak

Washington - Wall Street's leading stock index hit a five-year high Friday, after several top companies reported earnings that exceeded expectations.

The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 53.68 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 13,649.7.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.04 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 1,485.98. The technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 1.3 points, or 0.04 per cent, to 3,134.71.

The US currency was higher against the euro at 75.09 euro cents compared to 74.74 euro cents on Tuesday. The dollar edged up against the Japanese currency to 90.1 yen from 89.9 yen.//DPA