NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- U.S. stocks opened slightly higher Friday, as investors welcomed a stronger-than-expected report on U.S. economic growth.
Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic activity, rose at a 2% annual rate in the third quarter, according to government data. The figure was higher than the 1.7% rate economists surveyed by CNNMoney had forecast and came after GDP grew 1.3% in the second quarter.
But the gains were slim as investors were also digesting the latest reports on corporate sales and earnings in the third quarter.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 rose about 0.1%, while the Nasdaq gained 0.3%.
Apple (AAPL, Fortune 500), one of the most widely held stocks in the S&P 500, reported quarterly results that missed expectations, despite predictions for a strong fourth quarter. Additionally, Amazon (AMZN, Fortune 500) reported a narrower-than-expected loss but missed on sales.
As quarterly results continue to roll in, investors have been sidelined by weaker-than-expected sales growth and tepid guidance for the current quarter. In addition, traders have become risk-averse ahead of the U.S. presidential elections, while concerns about the fiscal cliff continue to weigh on the market.
Later in the morning, the University of Michigan will release the final version of its consumer sentiment index for October.
U.S. stocks closed with slim gains Thursday.
Fear & Greed Index
European stocks were mixed. Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.1%, while the DAX in Germany and France's CAC 40 gained ground.
Spain's IBEX 35 was down 0.2% after government statistics showed Spanish unemployment rose to a record high of 25% in the third quarter.
On Thursday, Standard & Poor's cut its ratings on BNP Paribas and two other major French banks, citing the rising economic risks that they face.
Meanwhile, Asian markets ended lower. The Shanghai Composite tumbled 1.7%, the Hang Seng in Hong Kong sank 1.2%, and Japan's Nikkei flopped 1.3%.
Companies: Merck (MRK, Fortune 500) reported third-quarter earnings that beat analysts' expectations, but a decline in sales worldwide sent shares lower.
Comcast (CMCSA)said earnings jumped 136% in the third quarter from the same period last year, helped by coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games. Shares of Comcast rose more than 2%.
Shares of Expedia (EXPE) rallied 14%, after the travel website reported strong quarterly earnings late Thursday.
Deckers Outdoor (DECK) tumbled more than 15% after the maker of Ugg boots and Teva sandals slashed its outlook for the remainder of the year.
Currencies and commodities: The dollar was little changed against the euro and the British pound, but fell against the Japanese yen.
Oil for December delivery fell 10 cents to $86.95 a barrel.
Gold futures for December delivery rose $3 to $1,716 an ounce.
Bonds: The price on the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury rose, pushing the yield down to 1.79% from 1.83% late Thursday.
First Published: October 26, 2012: 9:45 AM ET
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