NEW YORK — Investors shuttled between optimism and pessimism yesterday, finally betting that the government might help the economy out of recession after all.

News late in the session that key lawmakers agreed on a $790 billion economic stimulus plan sent stocks moderately higher in a partial rebound from a plunge Tuesday that took the Dow Jones industrials down 382 points. Stocks meandered for much of yesterday's trading as investors struggled for a second day over what to make of developments in Washington.

Investors have been eager for any signals that the economy is set to recover. Supporters hope the bill's mix of spending and tax cuts will increase consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.