US Stocks decline for the week, but gain for the day (ext)

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks finished the week lower as concerns about corporate results plagued the market. But Friday's session resulted in gains after positive news about inflation and consumer sentiment.

For the week, the Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) lost 0.4%, and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq lost 0.7%. Big losses on Tuesday, triggered by disappointment about Alcoa's results and a spike in oil prices, couldn't be overcome the rest of the week.

The Dow rose 57 points Friday, or 0.5%, to 12,342; the S&P 500 (SPX) gained 5 points, or 0.4%, to 1,320.

The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) lagged the other two indexes, adding 4 points, or 0.2%.

Investors focused Friday on economic reports.

The Labor Department's latest Consumer Price Index showed prices rose 0.5% in March. While the inflation data was in line with expectations, core CPI -- which strips out volatile food and energy prices -- came in lower than forecasts, rising 0.1% during the month.

Although gas and food have soared recently, core CPI has remained relatively tame.

Investors also welcomed a positive economic report from the University of Michigan, whose U.S. consumer sentiment index rose to a reading of 69.6 in April from 67.5 in March. Economists had been looking for a reading of 69. Stocks moved higher after the report.

"It's not going to be a straight line up, but things are just generally getting better," said Harry Clark, CEO of Clark Capital Management.

Clark said investors are setting up for next week, when more than a fifth of S&P 500 companies will report their quarterly results.

"Earnings are going to be positive overall, and that's going to be bullish for the market until the summer," he said.

The dollar rose against the euro, but fell versus the Japanese yen and the British pound.

Oil for May delivery rose $1.30 to $109.41 a barrel.

Gold futures for June delivery rose $14.90 to $1,486.80 an ounce, heading for yet another record close for the precious metal.