DJI

Stocks kicked off the final quarter of the year with moderate gains Friday as more encouraging data on consumer spending, consumer sentiment and auto sales were partly offset by a slowdown in manufacturing activity.

After suffering its worst August in nearly a decade, the blue-chip Dow found a welcome way to put summer behind it. But don't be disappointed if last week's market euphoria fails to carry into this week and beyond.

A see-saw session for stocks left the major averages with modest gains Wednesday despite another round of lackluster economic data out of the housing market and industrial sector.