NEW YORK (November 30, 2012)--The Dow Jones industrial average closed with a gain of four points at 13,026 Friday as lawmakers continued to try to come to terms on a budget agreement.

The Standard and Poor's 500 edged up less than a point to close at 1,416.

The Nasdaq composite lost two points to end the day at 3,010.

The market has fluctuated between gains and losses in recent days as investors followed the latest headlines from the budget negotiations in Washington.

Lawmakers need to reach a deal to avoid drastic tax increases and government spending cuts.

Online game maker Zynga plunged after saying it was loosening its relationship with Facebook.

Rising stocks narrowly outnumbered falling ones on the New York Stock Exchange where volume was in line with the recent average at 3.8 billion shares.