
Stocks edged back from records Friday, with investors weighing weaker-than-anticipated economic data against an earnings season that has defied expectations. Stocks initially opened higher Friday morning as investors interpreted unexpected weakness in consumer spending and sentiment as further evidence that the Federal Reserve won’t raise interest rates at its September meeting. Coming on the heels of softer inflation data and a cooling labor market, the figures reinforced bets that the central bank will stand pat on rates.















