15 points, or 0.19 percent, to 9,171.61. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 0.73 points, or 0.07 percent, to 987.48. But the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index was down 5.8 points, or 0.29

percent, to 1,978.5.

The Dow climbed 8.6 percent in July, its best month since 2002. The S&P 500 gained 7.4 percent during the month and the Nasdaq 7.8 percent.

All stocks have risen sharply on signs of a stabilizing economy since US indices reached 12-year lows in early March.

The US currency rose against the euro to 70.14 euro cents from 70.09 euro cents on Thursday. The dollar fell against the Japanese currency to 94.70 yen from 95.48 yen.