US stocks jumped yesterday in a broad rally amid improved sentiment regarding the Asian financial crisis, allowing a traditional year-end rally.

The Dow Jones industrial average gained 113.10 points unofficially to close at 7,792.41

In the broader market, advancing issues led declines by a 21-8 margin on moderate volume of roughly 446 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

The rally pushed blue chips and technology stocks highest. The Standard & Poor's index of 500 stocks gained 16.90 points to 953.36 and the Nasdaq composite index, weighted with tech stocks, rose 26.07 points to 1,537.45.

Over the weekend, South Korean stocks rebounded from a steep sell-off. US market players also took heart as some of the world's top commercial bankers met in New York to discuss extending payment deadlines on loans to South Korea.

The improved sentiment allowed the traditional year-end "Santa Claus" rally, partially fueled by expectations of large inflows of cash in January.