Dow inches up

Wall Street rose moderately today, carving out its fourth straight weekly gain amid a fresh round of corporate takeover news and employment figures that largely met expectations.

Reports that Microsoft Corp. has renewed talks to acquire or invest in Yahoo Inc. helped buoy investor sentiment today as did word that Reuters Group PLC received a preliminary takeover offer. There is speculation that Thomson Corp., the financial data provider, is the likely suitor for the British news and information company.