YAHOO[BRIEFING.COM]: Following the stock market's near 11% rebound during the previous three sessions, participants were compelled Friday to take profits amid a lack of positive catalysts. Still, stocks showed resolve to the selling effort by climbing back from a loss of more than 1% to finish the session with a solid gain.

Sellers focused their efforts on financials, which had surged nearly 40% from last week's intraday lows to the prior session's close. That gain was inspired by reassuring headlines indicating JPMorgan Chase (JPM 23.75, +0.55), Bank of America (BAC 5.76, -0.09), and Citigroup (C 1.78, +0.11) are profitable so far this year. More recently, Citigroup went on to say it will not need additional funds from the government.

Financials have also been bolstered in recent sessions by headlines suggesting possible relaxation from mark-to-market rules and short-selling rules. Though there haven't been any new details released about those matters, the potential for more positive headlines is challenging short sellers.

Financials initially showed strength Friday, but fell to a loss of more than 4%. Given the gains financials registered in recent sessions, the downward move wasn't very surprising considering the lack of positive catalysts and listless trading in early action. What was encouraging, though, was the fact financials came rallying back to close with a gain (+0.3%).

Despite a lack of clear leadership and very choppy trading, the broader market was also able to muster a gain and close above its November closing low. Stocks have now closed higher in four straight sessions, which was last done more than one month ago.

Health care, which is the largest sector in the S&P 500 by market weight, was this session's best performing sector. Health care stocks advanced 3.3% as investors show renewed interest in the sector following its string of weakness. Stocks in the sector had become battered during recent weeks as investors feared health care reform would crimp profits. Recent merger and acquisition activity has also induced a bit of a snap back in buying.

Energy was the session's worst performing sectors. Energy shed 0.7% amid downgrades of several oil equipment and services stocks and a 1.7% decline in crude oil prices. Crude oil for April delivery settled at $46.25 per barrel. Oil prices had actually traded higher in the early going, but this weekend's OPEC meeting has created a sense of uncertainty among traders.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will meet March 17-18 to make its latest monetary policy decision. The FOMC is expected to keep interest rates in the target range of 0% to 0.25%. Per usual, though, market participants will look for insights into the FOMC's plans to support financial markets.

This session's economic news had little effect on trading. February import prices were down 0.2% month-over-month, which is a softer downturn than the 0.7% decline that was widely expected.

Meanwhile, the January Trade Balance showed a $36.0 billion deficit, which is less steep than the $38.0 billion deficit that was expected. A drop in exports slightly offset a drop in imports. The deficit has narrowed every month since July, revealing an overall contraction in global trade.

With global trade slowing, Japan and China indicated they are willing to devise fresh stimulus. That sentiment helped drive a 5.2% gain in Japan's Nikkei and a 4.4% gain in Hong Kong's Hang Seng. The MSCI Asia-Pacific Index closed 3.5% higher.DJ30 +53.92 NASDAQ +5.40 NQ100 +0.3% R2K +0.8% SP400 +0.4% SP500 +5.81 NASDAQ Dec/Adv/Vol 1149/1518/2.06 bln NYSE Dec/Adv/Vol 1101/1959/1.61 bln