11.   Meanwhile, stock prices were generally higher despite profit-taking following a sharp surge the previous day.

12.   Soybeans were only fractionally higher despite the latest surge in wheat.

13.   The broad market also rallied late in the day, with the technology-dominated Nasdaq composite turning higher despite the discouraging news from IBM.

14.   Hi-techs were also higher despite negative profit concerns for Advantest and a downward earnings forecast by Goldman Sachs.

15.   But futures-linked buying emerged in late trading, pushing the broader market higher despite otherwise lackluster trade, brokers said.

16.   Major securities firms were higher despite a report of losses suffered in November.

17.   Most blue-chip stocks were higher despite some late profit-taking.