Stocks close mostly higher; Apple sinks after iPhone news

Friday, September 6, 2013, Vol. 37, No. 36

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing mostly higher as the possibility of an immediate U.S. military strike on Syria seemed to fade.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 135 points, or 0.9 percent, to 15,326 Wednesday.

A big decline in Apple and other tech companies held back the Standard & Poor's 500 index and the Nasdaq composite. Apple isn't part of the Dow.

The S&P 500 edged up five points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,689, and the Nasdaq fell four points, or 0.1 percent, to 3,725.

After a tough August, stocks have been rising in September. The S&P 500 index had its seventh straight gain, the longest winning streak since July.

More stocks rose than fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Trading volume was average at 3 billion shares.