Stocks rose soundly today following word that some of the problems dogging big companies like General Motors Corp. and Bear Stearns Cos. could be on the mend.

Stocks slid today when waning enthusiasm among investors ahead of the holiday weekend overshadowed data showing higher consumer spending and a jump in sales of big-ticket goods in November. A weak bond market also weighed on stocks.

Economic uncertainty overshadowed a peaceful and early transfer of power in Iraq today, cutting off a rally and leaving stocks modestly lower while investors fretted about the Federal Reserve’s imminent decision on interest rates.

Investors overcame their concerns about inflation and mounting trade deficits to push stocks moderately higher today, but the major indexes ended the week mixed as nervousness mounted over the Federal Reserve’s pending decision on interest rates.