Stocks struggled higher yesterday after slipping for the second straight session amid a spate of warnings about technology sector profits. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 13.18 points to 8,032.01, after erasing an early 57-point deficit, nearly a repeat performance of Tuesday's session, when the Dow edged higher just before the close for a five-point gain.

Broad-market indicators also pushed into positive territory during the afternoon, leaving some within striking distance of new highs.

Even the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index finished higher despite a sudden stream of discouraging profit forecasts, capped by a warning late on Tuesday from 3Com.

Helping cushion the decline in stocks was a strong day in the bond market, where the key yield on the 30-year Treasury nearly grazed 6 per cent for the first time since early 1996. The yield - a key determinant of how much interest is charged on many loans - fell as low as 6.05 per cent.