Technology stocks rallied again yesterday, though blue chips fell, as Dell emerged as the second tech giant in two days to tell investors it would deliver on its financial forecasts.

The world's number one PC maker eased rampant worries that the September 11th attacks on the US would further weaken corporate profits. Dell shares shares closed at a three-week high, up 8.14 per cent, or $1.68, at $22.32.

The Nasdaq composite rose 16.71 points to 1,597.52. It was the third consecutive gain for the Nasdaq, and the highest close since September 10th.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 62.90 points to 9,060.88, with the blue-chip gauge weighed down by weakness in Procter & Gamble, Home Depot and General Motors. The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index slipped 2.66 points to 1,069.62.

The market climbed at the open, but then weakened minutes later as worries surfaced over the crash of the Russian passenger plane into the Black Sea early this morning.