21.   Losses were tempered by gains in financial and other interest-sensitive shares, helped by bond yields near six-month lows.

22.   Losses were tempered by a rally in shares of Adobe Systems Inc.

23.   Losses were tempered by a government employment report that showed slower-than-expected job growth in November.

24.   Losses were tempered by gains in food and alcohol stocks.

25.   Municipal bonds fell amid a slump in benchmark Treasuries, while a dearth of tax-exempt securities helped to temper losses, traders said.

26.   Other computer related issues closed higher to temper losses.

27.   Optimism that the economy is growing fast enough to spark higher corporate profits helped temper the losses.

28.   Rate-sensitive financial companies rose, tempering losses in retail issues.

29.   Still, a rise in gold stocks helped temper the losses.

30.   Takeover activity helped to temper the losses.