1.   Also helping financial stocks were expectations that the Federal Reserve will lower interest rates.

2.   Also helping pharmaceutical stocks were optimistic statements from experts at a U.K. conference on AIDS that new combinations of drugs could make HIV a chronic rather than deadly disease.

3.   Also helping stocks today were signs that an end to the federal budget impasse may be in sight.

4.   Also, gold stocks are being helped by a strong Canadian equity market overall, analysts said.

5.   An afternoon rally in bonds, fueled by speculation the Federal Reserve will hold back on raising benchmark borrowing rates next week, also helped stocks.

6.   Analysts said the stock was helped by rumors of takeover interest from Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corp., apparently reported in London newspapers within the last week.

7.   An overall rally in technology stocks also helped the stock.

8.   And that helped stocks.

9.   And that in turn helps stocks by making it cheaper for companies to borrow, leaving more for profits and potentially lifting stock prices as well.

10.   And the bond market, which fell sharply in the morning, recovered in the afternoon, also helping stocks.