DJIA Leaders & Laggards

The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished higher on Friday, and shares of Alcoa Inc. rose after its board declared a regular quarterly dividend of 17 cents per share.

Alcoa, which extended Thursday's gains, rose $1.06, or 3.1 percent, to $35.48.

The Dow rose 17.64 to 13,442.52.

General Motors Corp. rose 93 cents, or 2.8 percent, to $34.22, as some analysts were upbeat on benefits the Detroit Three could see if they agree to establish a Voluntary Employees Beneficiary Association with the United Auto Workers union.

Negotiations were under way Friday afternoon, ahead of the midnight deadline to agree on a new contract.

McDonald's Corp. gained $1.15, or 2.1 percent, to $55.45, extending gains from Thursday when the stock hit an all-time high after announcing the largest dividend increase in history.

On the losing side, American Express Co. declined $1.66, or 2.7 percent, to $58.94, after a Merrill Lynch analyst reportedly downgraded the credit card issuer.

Intel Corp. declined 42 cents to $24.93, also on a Merrill Lynch downgrade.

AT&T Inc. declined 33 cents to $40.44.(NEW YORK (AP))