Stocks gained on Friday after data showed the pace of growth in the U.S. manufacturing sector picked up for the first time in four months in June.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was up 78.10 points, or 0.63 percent, at 12,492.44. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> put on 6.97 points, or 0.53 percent, at 1,327.61. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 16.99 points, or 0.61 percent, at 2,790.51.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch)