US technology stocks climbed yesterday after Intel's rousing forecast silenced the market's concerns about corporate growth, particularly among computer-related companies. The Nasdaq composite index jumped 95.63 points, or 2.87 per cent, to 3,429.02, while the Dow Jones industrial average slipped 18.96 points to 10,880.51. Intel ended the Nasdaq regular session gaining $1.81 or 4 per cent to $46.69 (€54.27), its best finish since September 22nd. On Wednesday, the company forecast that 2001 sales growth would be in the "high teens".

Energy stocks were losers on the day after a proposed truce to end violence in the Middle East weighed on oil prices. In New York trading, crude futures fell 71 cents to $32.54 per barrel.