US stocks climb to records as weak jobs data cool Fed rate-hike bets

U.S. stocks rose Friday, with the S&P 500 closing at a record high after weaker-than-expected July jobs data dampened Federal Reserve rate-hike expectations. The S&P 500 gained 0.6% to 7,756.44, the Nasdaq rose 1.3% to 26,690.62, and the Dow added 0.3%. Nonfarm payrolls fell by 23,000 in July versus forecast growth, while unemployment dipped to 4.1%. Odds of a September Fed hike fell to about 44%. All three major indexes posted their best weekly gains since April, supported by a semiconductor rebound and strong tech earnings, including Atlassian's 36% jump after upbeat results.