WALL Street stocks averted another bruising session yesterday, but a jump in interest rates short circuited an afternoon rebound, leaving most major indicies with a loss.

Blue chip stocks outperformed technology and speculative shares as investors tried to insulate themselves from the continuing aftershocks of last week's steep, sell off and sudden rebound.

The Dow Jones industrial average struggled to an 8.14 point gain, ending a three session losing, streak to finish at 5,354.69.

But it was another highly volatile day, with the Dow dropping 76 points at the open, rallying to a gain of more than 32, and then retreating again.

Despite the Dow's rebound, broader market measures ended lower, with declines outnumbering advances by a broad margin and the worst damage again showing in the technology laden Nasdaq market.

The American Stock Exchange's market value index fell 7.96 to 529.00.