Technology stocks led several market indexes to another day of record highs yesterday, but the blue-chip sector struggled again amid concerns about lofty prices and slower profit growth.
The Dow Jones industrial average edged above 9,200 for the first time after erasing an early 19point loss, but finished 8.22 points lower at 9,176.72.
It was the third straight day that the blue-chip barometer stumbled at the open. On Tuesday, however, the Dow mounted a full recovery and rose 43 points to a record 9,184.94.
Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 10-to-9 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,393 up, 1,542 down and 574 unchanged. NYSE volume totalled 695.39 million shares, exceeding Tuesday's hefty 674.07 million.
The NYSE composite index rose 0.82 to 585.62, and the American Stock Exchange composite index rose 3.88 to 753.67, with both closing at new highs for the second day in a row.
