U.S. Stocks Finish Black Friday in the Green

Updated from 1:08 p.m. EST

Blue-chip stocks on Wall Street surged into the close to end Friday's choppy, abbreviated trading session with gains.

When the closing bell sounded at 1 p.m. EST, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 102.43 points, or 1.2%, to 8829.04, and the S&P 500 added 8.56 points, or 1%, to 896.24. The Nasdaq edged up 3.47 points, or 0.2%, to 1,535.57.

The final results marked the fifth straight winning session for both the Dow and S&P 500. Since last Friday's close, the Dow gained 9.7%, the S&P 500 rose 12% and the Nasdaq added 11%.

During Friday's session, traders kept a close eye on the retailers as shoppers flocked to stores to kick off the winter shopping season. In an annual ritual known as "Black Friday," stores attempt to lure customers, many of whom have the day off for Thanksgiving weekend, into their stores with preliminary holiday sales.

"Basically the Thanksgiving holiday allowed the market to hit the pause button for a little bit, which I think was much needed," said Kenneth Roberts, CFP, principal at Harbor Lights Financial in New Jersey. He said that Friday's trading will be marked by light volume as many traders take the day off.

Roberts also said that analysts will be looking for the impact of Black Friday sales on the retailers. On whether the recent gains in the major averages could be the beginning of a year-end rally, Roberts said that as unemployment takes hold, consumers are going to continue to cut back on purchases.