Technology stocks rose for the fourth consecutive session Friday, on Dell's improved earnings, but the broader market struggled amid rising oil and gasoline prices and a mix of U.S. economic news that did not relieve worries about a slowdown. Light sweet crude oil for July delivery rose 73 cents to $127.35 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, erasing earlier gains. On Thursday, oil prices fell over $4 a barrel. U.S. average retail gasoline prices rose to a record above $3.96 a gallon (3.8 liters) from the previous day's record above $3.95. Economic news reflected the current period of slow U.S. growth. Personal income rose 0.2 percent in April, the government said, and personal spending rose 0.2 percent. The report's closely-watched inflation measure gained 0.1 percent, as expected. The University of Michigan's May consumer-sentiment index rose slightly to 59.8 from an initial reading of 59.5, but the index still stands at a 28-year low. In company news, United Airlines and US Airways formally abandoned plans to merge—a combination that would have created the world's largest airline but would also have limited routes and increased ticket prices. Shares of both companies fell. --MORE
