"Sentiment is still rather wishy-washy or negative regarding the stock market," said Brian Belski, fundamental market strategist for US Bancorp Piper Jaffray.

The Dow closed up 45.53, or 0.4 percent, at 10,289.21, according to preliminary calculations.

The broader market also enjoyed a moderate boost. The Nasdaq composite index rose 4.88, or 0.3 percent, to 1,730.44 after climbing 124.71 in the previous three sessions. Until yesterday, the Nasdaq hadn't had either a three- or four-session winning streak since a four-day rally March 26 through April 1.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained 7.16, or 0.7 percent, to 1,098.23.

Analysts were reluctant to predict how long the market might be able to hold its gains from this week. Much of the buying has been based on lower prices following nearly two months of selling as companies released tepid earnings results and offered murky outlooks. By last week, the market's indexes had tumbled to levels not seen since early October.

"The market in general was so negative for so long. ... The market is one of fits and starts. We are at, or at least near, the bottom of the trading range," Belski said.

Among yesterday's gainers, Dow industrial IBM rose 95 cents to $85.45, the day after CEO Samuel Palmisano said at an analysts meeting the company would cut costs but declined to comment about possible layoffs.

Dell Computer advanced 15 cents to $27.85 ahead of its earnings results due after the market closed.

Retailer AnnTaylor gained 20 cents to $48.94 after raising its outlook for 2002.

But biotechnology was a weak spot after ImClone Systems posted a profit loss that was 7 cents bigger than analysts' estimates. ImClone fell $1.99 to $13.06.

The market's advance was limited by a disappointing report from the Commerce Department, which said housing construction fell by 5.4 percent in April, the second straight monthly decline.