U.S. stocks surged Friday after the unemployment rate fell to its lowest level in nearly four years, oil prices dropped and two large companies said they posted larger-than-expected profits. The unemployment rate fell to 5 per cent in June, the lowest level since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The economy added 146,000 new jobs, a figure that lagged behind expectations. Crude oil for August delivery decreased 1.8 per cent to 59.63 dollar a barrel in New York. Alcoa. Inc, the world's largest aluminium maker, and business consulting giant Accenture Ltd. reported earings that were higher than expected. Alcoa shares increased 1.11 dollars to 27.20 dollars and Accenture's stocks rose 2.01 dollars to 24.21 dollars. The blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average soared 146.85 points, or 1.43 per cent, to 10,449.14. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index increased 13.99 points, or 1.17 per cent, to 1,211.86, and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index surged 37.22 points, or 1.79 per cent, to 2,11.86. --More 2359 Local Time 2059 GMT