US Stocks squeeze out gains in oil-dominated week (ext)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. markets fell sharply Friday as oil prices jumped to more than $104 a barrel. Still, stocks managed to eke out gains for the week.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) dropped 88 points, or 0.7%, to 12,170. The Dow had lost as much as 170 points earlier in the session.

The S&P 500 (SPX) slid 9.8 points, or 0.7%, to 1,321.20; and the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) lost 14 points, or 0.5%, to 2,785.

Quickly rising energy costs were the dominant force on traders' minds once again Friday. Crude oil prices jumped $2.90 a barrel, or 2.9%, hitting $104.81 on reports of continuing unrest in Libya and news of protests planned in Saudi Arabia. Gas prices continued to rise, adding 4.4 cents to the AAA national average of $3.35 a gallon.

Traders said that as long as oil remains at elevated levels and Middle East unrest remains unresolved, stock performance will continue to closely track the price of oil.

"Oil above $100 a barrel will remain a persistent headwind to the equity markets, but the bigger question is how long does oil remain at these levels," said Michael James, senior equity trader with Wedbush Morgan Securities.

With oil front and center, Wall Street dismissed the Labor Department's report that the economy added 192,000 jobs in February -- which was in line with expectations. The unemployment rate ticked down slightly to 8.9%.

Investors said Thursday's rally was mostly in anticipation of the jobs report. However the mostly positive report was cast aside once oil prices began rapidly rising during the session.

The dollar rose against the euro and the Japanese yen, but was flat against the British pound.

Gold futures for April delivery rose $12.20 to $1,428.60 an ounce.