 The combined companies would have a total of some 3,000 retail stores, 30 e-commerce platforms, 71 manufacturing facilities, and four research and development facilities worldwide. John Scott reporting. Stocks rose to more records after a report on the job market bolstered hopes that interest rates may soon get easier. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% Friday to set an all-time high for a third straight day and close its ninth winning week.