21.   Even the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index finished higher despite a sudden stream of discouraging profit forecasts.

22.   In Australia, the key stock index finished higher on the back of higher gold and mining share prices.

23.   In New Zealand, the key stock index finished at its lows, with brokers saying the market lacked direction.

24.   Indonesia share prices closed higher on heavy trading but the index finished lower on arbitrage selling in telecommunications stocks.

25.   Key European indexes finished mostly higher Tuesday despite a report of a sharp decline in consumer confidence.

26.   On the stock market, the Nikkei index finished slightly higher as buying by foreign investors offset profit-taking by bearish Japanese fund managers.

27.   Once again, the blue chip index finished at levels last seen in early April.

28.   On the stock market, technology shares, including Sony and TDK, spurred the decline after major U.S. indexes finished lower Wednesday.

29.   Several broad-market indexes also finished higher, but the number of declining issues surpassed advancers despite trailing by a substantial margin in the morning.