U.S. stocks end mixed

The U.S. stocks ended narrowly mixed on Friday as investors cautiously awaited a final Greek debt deal. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 45.79 points, or 0.35 percent, at 12,949.87, only about 50 points away from the key psychological level of 13,000. The Standard & Poor's 500 added 3.19 points, or 0.23 percent, to 1,361.23. The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 8.07 points, or 0.27 percent, to 2,951.78. Telecom and consumer discretionary sectors were taking the lead in the market while technology and health care sections lagged. However, major indexes still manage gains for the week. The blue-chip Dow ended higher in four of last five sessions, adding 1. 2 percent for the week. Both the broader S&P 500 and the tech- heavy Nasdaq climbed about 1.5 percent on hopes for a Greek debt deals and more evidence of stronger U.S. recovery. The stock market met a pause on Friday although optimism rose after euro zone central banks agreed to swap their existing Greek bonds for new ones. It is widely expected that the country would receive the second bailout fund next week, when European finance ministers meet on Monday to discuss the latest economic reform proposal, but investors were still cautious before a final deal is sealed. Their approval is needed in order for Greece to receive the billion- euro bailout to avert a chaotic default when 14.5 billion euros in debt repayments fall due on March 20. On the economic data front, the U.S. Labor Department reported that consumer prices climbed 0.2 percent in January, boosted by rising gasoline prices, but still lower than market estimates. The Conference Board's Leading Economic Indicators index ticked up 0.4 percent in January, a bit weaker than analysts had expected. In other markets, the U.S. dollar traded mixed against major currencies in late New York trading while oil prices surged to fresh 9-month closing high. Light, sweet crude for March delivery gained 93 cents, or 0.91 percent to settle at 103.24 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. For this week, it surged 4.57 dollars, or 4. 63 percent. U.S. financial markets will be closed on Monday due to the President's Day holiday and resume trading on Tuesday.