Blue-Chip stocks rose yesterday, lifting the Dow above 10,000 for the first time in more than a week as investors saw in new economic data a possible end to the recession, and hoped for progress on economic-stimulus legislation.

In a sign the US economy could climb out of recession in the first half of 2002, the Conference Board reported the US index of leading economic indicators rose 0.5 per cent in November, following an 0.1 per cent gain in October. It was the largest rise since an 0.6 per cent increase in May. The index of leading economic indicators had risen in four of the past six months, suggesting "the recession could be losing steam", the private research firm said.

Motorola shares fell 85 cents, or 5.1 per cent, to $15.76. The world's number-two mobile phone maker said it would cut another 9,400 jobs, noting it saw lower revenues in 2002. Micron reported a fiscal first-quarter loss and said sales fell 73 per cent as the number-two memory chipmaker continued to be hurt by plunging prices and a glut in capacity. The shares fell $1.61, or 5.06 per cent, to $30.20.