By Liz Moyer

Investing.com – U.S. stocks closed higher Friday, as new data revealed that inflation had slowed slightly during April. The Dow is on track to end an eight week losing streak.

The rose rose 0.4% at 9:46 AM ET, and rose 1% at 1:30 PM ET.

The  index rose 6.3% over the year ended in April, cooling from March’s 6.6% pace. The index (which excludes food and energy) rose 4.9% last month compared with the previous year’s 5.2% increase. The Fed prefers to measure inflation trends using the PCE. 

Shares of Big Lots Inc (NYSE: ) dropped 11% Friday, after the discount retailer failed to meet sales forecasts and announced a surprise drop in revenue for the three months ending April. 

Marvell Technology Group Ltd (NASDAQ:) stock rose 5% after offering guidance slightly above Wall Street’s expectations. Ulta Beauty Inc. (NASDAQ:), stock rose 10% to beat expectations. Following a beating of expectations, Dell Technologies Inc’s shares jumped 15%.

The price of oil was flat. Crude was down 0.1% at the price of crude, which traded for $113.73/barrel. Oil, however, is still trading around $113.73/barrel. 1.3% increase to $1,853.