Stocks held losses on Friday despite data showing consumer sentiment rose to the highest level in eight months.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 96.04 points, or 0.77 percent, at 12,374.98. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was down 10.12 points, or 0.78 percent, at 1,285.38. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was down 18.05 points, or 0.66 percent, at 2,706.65.

(Reporting By Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)