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Stocks edge higher but set weekly decline on US election nerves; petroleum rises

International stocks were trading higher on Friday, although they were set for a weekly loss amid U.S. election jitters, while oil rates increased, buoyed by Middle East tensions.

Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are neck and neck in important swing states in the

Nov. 5 U.S. election

, and investors are distressed about a contested result roiling world markets and letting loose fresh geopolitical unpredictability.

The benchmark S&P 500 was on track to finish the week slightly lower, although gains in technology and interaction services stocks were pressing the index higher on the session.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.46% to 42,569.64, the S&P 500 increased 0.90% to 5,862.18 and the Nasdaq Composite increased 1.48% to 18,687.80.

European shares index was also up 0.1% however on track to finish lower. Overnight in Asia, MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan closed higher by 0.1% but dropped almost 2% for the week.

With time, rate of interest, inflation and the economy are the prominent aspects that affect the stock market, stated Tom Plumb, CEO and portfolio supervisor at Plumb Funds in Madison, Wisconsin.

But in the short run, there's no question that this is a market being bounced around by political advancements and expectations, and the general perception that Trump would be better for the marketplaces than Harris.

Brent petroleum futures rose 1.45%, to $75.46 a. barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 1.47%. at $71.22.

(source: Reuters)