Lift for US stocks as energy prices fall

Falling energy prices gave stocks a modest lift today as Wall Street set aside worries about interest rates and a weak forecast from Intel Corp. But the gains weren’t enough to help the major indexes, which ended the week with losses.

Stocks zigzagged through most of today’s session, capping off a week of jittery trading as investors scoured for any news that might revive a year-end rally after a two-week break. Many are wishing for a solid holiday shopping season, with cheaper gasoline prices contributing to improving consumer confidence.