The blue-chip Dow rose to its highest mark in 22 months after some big financial services companies reported good earnings, but the tech-heavy Nasdaq slipped on weakness in semiconductor stocks. The dollar fell, but more moderately than on Tuesday. Oil prices slipped from recent 10-month highs on indications OPEC was unlikely to decide to cut output at its meeting next month. In heavy volume, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 94.96 points, or 0.90 per cent, to 10,623.62, its highest finish since mid-March 2002. The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 Index added 8.85 points, or 0.78 per cent, to 1,147.62, also its highest close since March 2002. But the Nasdaq Composite Index eased 5.53 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 2,142.45. (Reuters)
