Stocks have their first winning week since April

Hopes for a solution to Greece’s debt problems are helping
stocks eke out their first week of gains since April.

Germany softened its stance on conditions for giving Greece
more loans on Friday. Traders are hoping that the move will prevent Greece from
defaulting on its loans and triggering another financial crisis.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 43 points, or 0.4
percent, to 12,004. The S&P 500 rose 4, or 0.3 percent, to 1,271. Both had
their first week of gains since April.

The Nasdaq composite edged down 7, or 0.3 percent, to 2,616.

Nearly two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New
York Stock Exchange. Consolidated volume came to 4.4 billion shares.