US stocks higher as Manchester United debut fizzles

NEW YORK (AFP) - United States (US) stock markets pared early half-per cent losses to close higher on Friday, as the debut shares of legendary British football club Manchester United barely stayed above water after its initial public offering (IPO).

At the closing bell the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 42.76 points (0.32 per cent) at 13,207.95.

The broader S&P 500-stock index added 3.07 (0.22 per cent) to 1,405.87, while the tech-rich Nasdaq edged up 2.22 points (0.07 per cent) to 3,020.86.

Shares started out lower amid profit-taking after the week's run-up, and were hurt by poor Chinese economic data.