NEW YORK — Investors are finding more than one way to bet on an improving economy.

Stocks ended a quiet day mostly higher yesterday as traders bought commodities and technology stocks.

The rise in commodities reflects hopes that economic activity will improve and boost the appetite for basic materials. A falling dollar also helped push commodity prices higher.

Analysts said the third consecutive day of modest moves in the market was a welcome sign after a 39.3 percent surge in the Standard & Poor's 500 index from 12-year lows three months ago.