NEW YORK—American Express Co.'s first-quarter profit lifted shares of the credit card lender and helped send the Dow Jones industrial average to a higher finish on Friday.
American Express's international segment helped offset sluggishness in the U.S., and the stock jumped $2.59, or 5.7 percent, to $47.77.
Citigroup Inc. added 84 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $26.60.
Home Depot Inc. advanced 86 cents, or 3 percent, to $29.78, as an analyst started coverage of rival Lowe's Cos. with a high rating and said the home improvement retailer will be the first to rebound once the housing market improves.
The index gained 42.91 points to 12,891.86, with 18 stocks ending higher.
On the losing side, Microsoft Corp.'s stock took the largest fall, after sales from the units that make Windows and Office products slipped in the fiscal third quarter.
The stock lost $1.97, or 6.2 percent, to $29.83.
Moody's Investors Service lowered its outlook on General Motors Corp. on worries about the mortgage unit of GMAC LLC, the auto maker's former finance arm, which sent shares down 73 cents, or 3.3 percent, to $21.38.
Shares of computer and printer maker Hewlett-Packard Co. gave up 90 cents to $47.45.
