(MENAFN- ProactiveInvestors) U.S. stocks turned higher on Friday in another choppy session as reports broke out that eurozone ministers reached a deal over Greece's debt obligations.
News outlets cited a government official who said Eurogroup ministers and Greece have agreed on a draft accord that could extend Greece's bailout. On Thursday Germany rejected Greece's latest plan which included a six-month loan extension that did not accept previous austerity requirements.
U.S. stocks were lower earlier in the session as investors awaited an outcome from the meeting and as weak manufacturing data were reported.
As of around 1pm ET in New York the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 71 points at 18057 while the Nasdaq rose 12 points to 4937 and the S&P 500 gained 4 points to 2101.
U.S. manufacturing activity picked up in February with the Markit flash purchasing managers index climbing more than expected to 54.3 from 53.9 in January. But details of the report were much weaker including expansion that has slowed down indicating the U.S. economy has entered a slower growth phase.
European markets finished mostly higher Friday hovering around seven-year highs after Germany and France picked up momentum in February boosting eurozone PMI to 53.5 this month up from January's 52.6.
In corporate activity Deere & Co () reported a 17% drop in sales on weak demand but the company's quarterly results still topped analyst estimates.
() reported earnings that fell short of estimates last night while revenue met expectations. The retailer's full year outlook also came in below forecasts.
() meanwhile reported a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss and revenues that topped estimates. It also raised its projected yearly online subscriber growth for its Quickbooks accounting software.
Yahoo () is planning to develop a new mobile developer suite according to CEO Marissa Mayer who spoke at Yahoo's mobile conference on Thursday.
() is reportedly planning to begin production of an electric vehicle as early as 2020 according to a report in Bloomberg.
's (NYSE:) attempt to reduce the maximum civil fine it could face for its role in the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill has been rejected by a federal judge leaving it potentially liable to pay $13.7 billion.
In other markets Asian stocks rose Friday with Japan’s benchmark index extending gains to a new 15-year high on prospects for better earnings. Many markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holiday.
Crude oil futures fell 68 cents to $50.48 a barrel in New York after dropping almost 2% yesterday while gold futures for April delivery shed $3 to $1205 an ounce.
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