Around the World's Markets: New York

WALL STREET ended firmer, led higher by the major technology stocks, but the broader market was lacklustre with investors pausing to digest the latest earnings reports and glean clues about the outlook for shares.

The Dow shed most of its gains for the day to close up 13.38 points at 8,519.23. The blue-chip index was kept in positive terrain by strong gains in its technology components. The tech-laden Nasdaq composite did better, closing up 35.3 points, or 2.15 per cent, at 1,674.49.