Blue-chip stocks pushed further into record territory yesterday as technology shares rose after computer companies reported profits better than Wall Street's deflated expectations.

The Dow Jones industrial average twice surrendered gains of more than 30 points, but turned higher again over the final hour, finishing 52.07 points - or 0.5 per cent - higher at 9,162.27 for its second straight record close.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq composite marched to a new high for the first time since April 3rd, but most broad-market indicators struggled much of the day before turning higher toward the close.

Holding true to last month's profit warnings, Intel and Compaq Computer companies stepped forward before the session with anaemic results for the first three months of the year.

Wall Street analysts, however, had slashed their forecasts so much that the final tally for both companies topped most estimates.