Stock markets rallied to record highs to close October, following weeks of increased volatility.
The S&P 500 closed Friday at 2,018, up more than 1 percent and just above its previous high in late September. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished at 17,390.32, also up over 1 percent, or 194 points, and a new record.
The gains came despite worse-then-expected reports relating to personal income and consumer spending Friday.
But there was also good news on the day: Consumer sentiment rose to the highest levels since before the financial crisis in the latest release of the University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters index.
The Bank of Japan also surprised investors by announcing additional stimulus in the form of greater monthly large-scale bond purchases.
The announcement drove the price of gold to a four-year low Friday, finishing the day at $1,172. Gold is down about 15 percent since March.
