US markets end mixed, Dow gains

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 17 points, at 9,171. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 5 points at 1,978. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was flat 987.

The S&P 500 ended its best five-month streak since 1938 with a slight gain on Friday as government data showed softness in consumer spending but reinforced expectations that the economic downturn is easing.

For the week the Dow Jones rose 0.9%. The S&P 500 advanced 0.8% and the Nasdaq added 0.6%. For July the Dow Jones gained 8.6%, the S&P 500 added 7.4% and Nasdaq Composite rose 7.8%.