Stocks rose in the first week of 2012, even though news that the U.S. jobless rate neared a three-year low did not spark buying interest in equities on Friday.

Based on the latest available data for the day, the Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 54.42 points, or 0.44 percent, at 12,361.28. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 3.16 points, or 0.25 percent, at 1,277.90. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 4.13 points, or 0.15 percent, at 2,673.99.

(Reporting By Caroline Valetkevitch; Editing by Kenneth Barry)

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