Stocks edge higher after mixed economic reports (AP)

Stocks are edging higher after mixed economic reports failed to derail hopes that the economic recovery is strengthening.

The government said Friday that consumer spending and incomes barely grew in November. A key measure of business investment decreased for the second straight month. Business investment has been a pocket of strong demand and spending amid a sluggish recovery.

Companies bought more long-lasting goods, but the result was skewed by strength in the volatile aerospace industry.

Markets have risen this week on strong data about the U.S. job market and overall economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 26 points, or 0.2 percent, at 12,196 in early trading. The S&P 500 is up 3, or 0.3 percent, at 1,257. The Nasdaq is up 6, or 0.2 percent, at 2,605.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/stocks/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111223/ap_on_bi_st_ma_re/us_wall_street

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