Stocks rose on Friday as better-than-expected retail sales last month and stronger consumer sentiment in early December lifted hopes that the economic recovery was on a firmer footing.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> gained 54.41 points, or 0.52 percent, to 10,460.24. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> rose 5.58 points, or 0.51 percent, to 1,107.93. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> added 8.65 points, or 0.39 percent, to 2,199.51.

(Reporting by Edward Krudy; Editing by Padraic Cassidy)