THE DOW JONES index rose more than 100 points in the first hour on hopes of a further cut in interest rates.
Financials led the way although Bankers Trust fell 87 cents to $62.06 following media reports that the chairman had refused to discuss merger terms with Deutsche Bank.
A sharp fall in the Conference Board index of consumer confidence also raised hopes of a cut in interest rates.
Support from the broker Merril Lynch helped IBM.
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