Stocks make biggest gain since March

In Friday’s trading: The U.S. stock market had its best day in two months Friday following good news about the job market.

The surge was enough to push two of the three major U.S indexes to gains for the week.

Investors were encouraged that U.S. employers added 223,000 jobs in April, a solid gain suggesting that the economy may be recovering after a stumbling start to the year.

While the jobs report is closely watched, April's survey garnered more interest than usual after a poor March, which had revised figures showing only 85,000 jobs were added to payrolls.

"I am even more convinced that the March report was an outlier," Paul Christopher, an investment strategist with Wells Fargo Advisors. "We all know the first quarter was a tough quarter. The jobs numbers needed to hold up and they did."

Market results: The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 267.05 points, or 1.5 percent, to 18,191.11 Friday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index added 28.10 points, or 1.4 percent, 2,116.10, its biggest percentage gain since March 16. The Nasdaq composite rose 58 points, or 1.2 percent, to 5,003.55. Winners and losers: » Stamps.com Inc. up $12.38 to $73.05. The Internet-based postage company reported better-than-expected first-quarter results and a issued positive outlook.

» Syngenta AG, up $8.75 to $85.75. The Swiss biotechnology company rejected Monsanto Co.'s $45.5 billion buyout offer.

» AOL Inc., up $4.03 to $43.42. The Internet company's first-quarter revenue rose on stronger advertising sales.

» Monster Beverage Corp., down $15.02 to $128.47. The energy drink maker reported weaker-than-expected first-quarter profit, weighed by higher operating expenses.