By David B. Wilkerson, MarketWatch
CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Technology stocks were mostly higher
Tuesday before an afternoon speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben
Bernanke about the U.S. economic outlook.
The Nasdaq Composite (RIXF) added less than 1% to 2,715.
The Morgan Stanley High Technology Index (MSH) was also up
marginally, while the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) gained
1%.
Among chip stocks, Intel Corp. (INTC) climbed 2.3%, while Altera
Corp. (ALTR) rose 1.9%. Shares of chip-equipment maker Applied
Materials Inc. (AMAT) picked up 2%.
Slight gains came from Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) , Dell Inc. (DELL)
and Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ).
On the downside, Apple Inc.'s (AAPL) stock fell less than 1% a
day after the company's annual developers' conference.