Technology stocks, which have outrun the broader market for weeks, finally toppled it yesterday. The Dow Jones gave up a 97point gain to finish 70.11 down at 10,877.81, with investors shedding stocks including AT&T and Intel.

Broader stock indicators were also sharply lower. The Nasdaq composite index fell 85.21 to 3,336.16, its worst point loss since September 23rd, when it shed 108.33. The Standard and Poor's 500 also fell, by 18.92 to 1,388.91.

Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 10-to-nine margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,618 up, 1,531 down and 442 unchanged.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 4.41 to 452.54.

For most of the day, blue-chips attracted buyers even as investors were selling technology stocks to lock in profits from their stunning run in the past few weeks.

But as the Nasdaq's losses widened, the broader market eventually collapsed.