THE REAL MOST ACTIVE Dow, S&P 500 Finish Day, Month With Gains.(MAKING MONEY)

Byline: CRAIG SHAW

Stocks edged higher Friday on positive consumer and factory data to wrap up a strong month. The S&P 500 added 0.4% on lighter trade, the Dow 0.1%. For October, the benchmark index gained 5.5%, the Dow 5.7%. Both indexes have risen seven of the last eight months.

PacifiCare Health Systems climbed 3.25 to a 52-week high of 59.50 on 2 1/2 times normal turnover. The California-based managed care provider gapped out of a three-month base Monday, then pulled back to its pivot point in Thursday's trade. Profit grew 43% to 185% the last three quarters, but revenue was flat to down 5%.

Fellow HMO group member Humana also marked a 52-week high, adding 0.90 to 20.29 on heavy volume. The health care giant matched analysts' third-quarter EPS views Monday. It's traded above its rising 50-day moving average since April, doubling its share price after breaking out of a bottoming base. Profit has grown every year since 1999.

Pediatrix Medical Group climbed 1.10 to 53.45 on robust trade to cap a 7% ...