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Small-cap stocks took a mild dip Friday, pressured by pre-weekend profit-taking from traders who were eager to cash in on the recent upswing, by jitters over sagging consumer sentiment and by soaring crude oil prices. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) closed down 2.21, or 0.30%, at 741.17. Despite the sloppy finish Friday, small-cap shares still notched the highest weekly close of 2008.

Small-cap shares have been a leading performer of late versus large-cap index products, reminiscent of the long bull market run from 2002 to 2007 in which small-cap products paced the way toward record highs. However, the Russell 2000 did close lower Friday while the S&P 500 was up slightly, which is a mild caution sign looking ahead to next week’s action.

In addition to the aforementioned profit-taking desire, the University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey tumbled to 28-year lows for the month of May when the data was released Friday morning. The lows underscore the fragility of the recent stock market rally, especially when consumer spending funds are crimped by soaring gasoline and food prices.

Crude oil took flight Friday, climbing to nearly $128 dollars a barrel. Although some energy stocks stand to benefit from higher crude prices, for the most part these record levels are seen as an overall negative to stocks because the economy is still powered by spending. Goldman Sachs, a key investment banking and research firm, on Friday raised its price targets on crude oil, which can only send shivers down the consumer spine – especially heading toward the start of the summer holiday driving season in the United States.

The stock market appeared to push through Friday’s “double witching” options expiration without too much volatility. Once the S&P 500 moved well past the concentrated strike at 1,400 late this week, it took away some of the excitement surrounding expirations.

After a brief rise after the opening, small-cap stocks headed lower after a gloomy consumer sentiment encouraged sellers. The Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) shed 2.21, or 0.3%, at 741.17 during Friday’s session.

At 10 a.m. ET, the University of Michigan said its consumer sentiment survey came in at 59.5, which was below the projection of 62. The figure was the lowest May reading since 1980, and underscores consumer fears about surging gas and food prices.

April housing starts came in at an annualized rate of 1.032 million units, which was well above the forecast of 940,000. In addition, permits were up 4.9%. These numbers, however, are still weak numbers since the number was fueled by multi-family units — not single-family homes.

Oil prices touched new highs, propelled by an increase in Goldman Sachs’ oil price estimate to $141 a barrel in late 2008. In midday Friday action, crude . . .

After a brief rise after the opening, small-cap stocks headed lower after a gloomy consumer sentiment encouraged sellers.  At 12:25 p.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 7.12, or 0.96%, at 736.26.

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey came in at 59.5, which was below the projection of 62. The figure was the lowest May reading in 28 years, and underscores consumer trepidation about lofty gas and food prices.

April housing starts came in at an annualized rate of 1.032 million units, which was well above the forecast of 940,000. In addition, permits were up 4.9%. These numbers, however, are still weak numbers since the number was fueled by multi-family units — not single-family homes.

Oil prices touched new highs, propelled by an increase in Goldman Sachs’ oil price estimate to $141 a barrel in late 2008. In midday Friday action, crude futures were up $2.63 to $126.75 a barrel in New York.

Small-cap stocks edged lower, unable to sustain a pre-opening upside pop tied to housing starts data. In addition, the latest consumer sentiment survey from the University of Michigan was below expectations, which tugged down stock prices. At 10:07 a.m. ET, the Russell 2000 (NYSE:IWM) was down 5.80, or 0.78%, at 737.58.

The University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey came in at 59.5, which was below the projection of 62. The figure was the lowest May reading in 28 years, and underscores consumer trepidation about lofty gas and food prices.

April housing starts came in at an annualized rate of 1.032 million units, which was well above the forecast of 940,000. In addition, permits were up 4.9%. It should be noted that these are still weak numbers, especially since the number was fueled by multi-family units — not single-family homes.

Today serves up a double witching expiration for stocks, with equity and cash index options for May on the expiration block. With the SPX climbing well past the concentrated strike at 1,400, it might have taken some of the punch out of expirations, but there could be added volatility in play from the expiry.

Action in crude oil futures will likely be on the radar screen for stock market traders today following another jump in crude values overnight back above $127 dollars a barrel. Although energy stocks might get a lift from higher crude, the . . .

The Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDU) are losing ground after the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers hit its lowest level since 1992. December sentiment hit 74.5, below last month’s 76.1. Wall Street economists had predicted December sentiment to hit 75.0.

The Labor Department’s jobs report for November contributed to positive news. For the month of November, non-farm payrolls grew by a better-than-expected 94,000 fueled by growth in the areas of  professional and technical services, health-care and food services, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today. Economists were projecting jobs to grow by 70,000 from 166,000 jobs created in the month of October. Employment continues to languish in manufacturing and in several housing-related industries, including construction, credit intermediation and real estate.

The unemployment rate held at 4.7% percent, while the average hourly earnings rose by $0.08 over the month, the Labor Department reported as well.

At 10:46 a.m. ET, the small-cap index dropped 3 points, or 0.83%, to 783.95. The Dow dropped 10.48 points, or 0.08%, to 13,609.41.