Stocks edged up on Friday. JPMorgan Chase and Travelers Companies stood out among Dow advancers. Brands posted gains on encouraging employment numbers. The Labor Department said businesses added 227,000 jobs in February. The unemployment rate held steady at 8.3%. January’s data was revised up to 284,000. Meanwhile, crude oil added 82 cents to settle at $107.40 a barrel. On another note, the U.S. trade gap increased in January. The Commerce Department said the deficit widened to $52.57 billion, from $50.42 billion in December. Economists had expected a decrease to $49 billion in January.
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