Stocks rose yesterday but trading was sluggish as the market's upbeat mood about mild inflation news was tempered by overseas markets worries. "It's extremely subdued, especially in the face of the bond market being so strong. Everyone is so concerned about Japan and that's why everybody is sitting on the sidelines today," Brad Weekes, managing director of equity trading at Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette said.

Shortly after 1 p.m. EST (1800 GMT), the Dow Jones industrial average was up 59.92 points at 7,447.68.

In the broader market, advancing issues outpaced declines by a 16-11 margin on volume of 356 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Nasdaq was up 19.79 points at 1,577.53.