By PNA / Xinhua and U.S. News Agency / Asian

U.S. stocks opened mixed on Friday as disappointing job news increased stimulus hopes.

The Labor Department reported Friday that the U.S. added 96,000 workers in August, lower than the previously expected 130,000.

The unemployment rate edged down to 8.1 percent on August from 8.3 percent in July, better than expectations.

August’s disappointing job report made investors expect more stimulus plans in the near future. The consensus was that the Federal Reserve would boost a new round of asset-buying programs in late September.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 5.35 points, or 0.04 percent, at 13,297.35. The Standard & Poor’s 500 was up 2.55 points, or 0.18 percent, to 1,434.45. The Nasdaq Composite Index declined 6.21 points, or 0.19 percent, to 3,129.01.