Blue-Chip Stocks Edge Up, Nasdaq Index Posts Loss

Blue-chip stocks drifted to a slightly higher close Friday as the market paused to allow for the expiration of stock options, stock index futures and stock index options.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed up 5.94 points at 3,471.58, having missed an opportunity to hit a record high during the session.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced gainers 1,040 to 832. New York Stock Exchange volume was 294 million shares.