The Dow Jones industrial average fell 20.24 to 5,478.03.

Decliners led advancers by a slim margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,095 up, 1,180 down and 844 unchanged. NYSE volume totaled 427.80 million shares vs. 441.07 million in the previous session.

On Thursday, the Dow plunged nearly 77 points and broader indexes tumbled even further as the latest evidence of a surging economy sent investors running for cover before Friday's employment report.

The Nasdaq market - one of Thursday's biggest losers as investors locked in profits on the recent rally in technology and smaller-company shares - managed a gain on the day, but slid sharply with the market after surging more than 15 points earlier in the afternoon. It ended the day 3.97 higher at 1,182.30.

Most other broad-market indexes ended lower.

The NYSE composite index fell 0.82 to 345.39 and the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index fell 1.74 to 641.64.

At the American Stock Exchange, the market value index rose 0.72 at 589.69.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 0.91 to 346.85.