Dow gains 52
to record close

NEW YORK -- Blue-chip stocks pushed farther into record territory today as technology shares rose after Intel Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp. reported weak profits that squeaked past Wall Street's deflated expectations.

The Dow Jones industrial average twice surrendered gains of more than 30 points, but turned higher again over the final hour, finishing 52.07 points higher to close at 9,162.27 for its second straight record close.

Advancers beat decliners by a 10-to-9 margin on the NYSE, with 1,569 up, 1,408 down and 551 unchanged. New York Stock Exchange volume was 677.23 million shares vs. 611.43 million yesterday.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite marched to a new high for the first time since April 3, but most broad-market indicators struggled much of the day before turning higher toward the close.

The Nasdaq composite index rose 20.23 to 1,863.26, easily topping its previous best finish of 1,855.40. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies also closed at a record high, rising 2.27 to 487.12, beating April 2's mark of 486.43.

The Standard & Poor's 500 list rose 3.57 to 1,119.32, moving within easy striking distance of April 3's record close of 1,122.70. The NYSE composite index rose 1.46 to 582.77, less than a point shy of the April 6 record of 583.17. The American Stock Exchange composite index rose 2.60 to 742.46.

The price of the Treasury's main 30-year bond was up 5/16 point, or $3.121/2 per $1,000 in face value, in late-afternoon trading, while its yield fell to 5.88 percent from 5.89 percent late yesterday.