New York ? Wall Street finished the week with moderate gains Friday, extending a November rally in light post-Thanksgiving trading amid signs of a strong start to the busy holiday shopping season.

The major indexes closed out their fifth straight winning week and remained at four-year highs. Stocks continued their monthlong advance, fueled by an improving economic backdrop and high hopes for solid retail sales that helped cast aside fears of a downturn.

A spirited beginning to the critical holiday sales period stoked investor optimism Friday, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year as retailers lure customers with bargains and deep discounts. Early reports suggest sales may best last year’s results.

The markets were closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and logged a shortened session Friday. Volume was light with many traders out of the office for a second day.

At the close of a half-day of trading, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 15.53, or 0.14 percent, to 10,931.62.

Broader stock indicators were also higher. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index was up 2.64, or 0.21 percent, at 1,268.25, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 3.03, or 0.13 percent, to 2,263.01.

Wellsville residents Melinda Bouse, left, and Darlene Westhoff check out a doll Friday at Sears. Markets finished higher on an optimistic outlook of the holiday shopping season, which officially began Friday.

For the week, the Dow gained 1.54 percent, the S&P 500 advanced 1.6 percent and the Nasdaq rose 1.61 percent. So far this year, the Dow is up 1.38 percent, the S&P 500 has grown 4.03 percent and the Nasdaq is 4.65 percent higher.

Many investors are anxiously awaiting holiday sales figures for indications of how consumers have handled the recent spike in gasoline prices. Wall Street found some encouragement earlier this week, when the University of Michigan reported a better-than-expected jump in consumer confidence.

But a raft of key economic reports are due next week, including data on economic growth, personal spending and employment. While positive data will likely bolster Wall Street’s year-end rally, any bad news could spook a jumpy market and cause it to surrender this month’s gains.

Bonds advanced Friday, with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note sliding to 4.43 percent from 4.47 percent late Wednesday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies in European trading, and gold prices were little changed.

Shoppers line up at checkout counters at Sears, 2727 Iowa. Results from such sales Friday will be watched by investors, who moved stocks higher during one of the year's biggest shopping days.

Friday’s frenzied start to the shopping season – known as “Black Friday,” when retailers begin turning profits – lifted the retail sector as consumers made an early morning rush for malls and stores. Electronics are again expected to be top sellers this year, such as Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod media player.

Electronics retailer Best Buy Co. added $1.63 to $50.63, and Apple gained $2.23 to $69.34. Target Corp. rose 13 cents to $55.23, Kohl’s Corp. climbed 13 cents to $49.20 and JC Penney Co. was up 11 cents at $54.10.

Meanwhile, some other retailers didn’t fare as well, with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. falling 8 cents to $50.49 and Sears Holding Corp. off $2.02 at $119.15.