Markets Right Now: Stocks rise as rate cut looks more likely

NEW YORK (AP) — The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):

9:35 a.m.

Stocks are rising Friday as a lackluster report on hiring increases the odds the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates in the coming months.

Investors also bought bonds in anticipation of lower rates. The yield on the 10 year Treasury fell to 2.07% from 2.12% Thursday.

Health care and household product companies posted early gains while financials declined.

Beyond Meat and Zoom Technologies each soared higher after beating estimates with their first quarterly reports since going public. Beyond Meat rose 29% and Zoom gained 21%.

The S&P 500 index rose 14 points, or 0.5%, to 2,858. The index is on pace for its strongest week since late November.

The Dow Jones industrials rose 129 points, or 0.5%, to 25,850. The Nasdaq gained 46 points, or 0.6%, to 7,662.