US stocks scored solid gains Friday as the market got a jolt from Microsoft’s announcement that chief executive Steve Ballmer will retire within the next 12 months.
The computing giant’s shares soared 7.3 percent to $34.76 as Ballmer, who succeeded Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in 2000, said the company would search for a new leader who can take charge of its “transformation to a devices and services company.”
Wall Street overall followed the global trend higher in markets.
At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 44.16 points (0.30 percent) at 15,007.90.
The broad-based S&P 500 added 6.32 (0.38 percent) at 1,663.28, while the Nasdaq Composite added 19.09 (0.52 percent) at 3,657.79.
The markets showed no hangover from the shock of the Nasdaq’s three-hour shutdown Thursday on technology woes.
US stocks climb; Microsoft soars on Ballmer exit
