US stocks climb as progress on Merck's antiviral pill offsets new inflation data

Xinhua/Wang Ying/ Getty ImagesUS stocks moved higher Friday after Merck announced successful data for its antiviral COVID-19 drug.The drug cut hospitalizations and deaths in half for patients who tested positive for COVID.The positive news from Merck offset new inflation data and Congress' continued struggle to raise the US debt ceiling.Sign up here for our daily newsletter, 10 Things Before the Opening Bell.US stocks turned positive on Friday after Merck announced successful results for its ant