Wall Street stocks rose on Friday after data showed the U.S. jobless rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low and as policymakers again appeared to move a step closer to tackling Europe's debt crisis.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 88.13 points, or 0.73 percent, to 12,108.16. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 9.84 points, or 0.79 percent, to 1,254.42. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> advanced 22.40 points, or 0.85 percent, to 2,648.60.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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