Financial news catch up; Buyers Pick Up the Pace As Indexes Hold Gains

Volume picked up briskly as indexes held near the top of the session's trading ranges.

Oil prices pared losses, rising above $39 a barrel. Semiconductor and consumer electronics-related stocks continued to lead the Nasdaq, which showed a 1.7% gain.
The NYSE composite and the Dow each held 1.4% advances. The S&P 500 rode 1.5% higher, with Jones Apparel (JNY), Rohm & Haas (ROH) and Harman International (HAR) topping its upside.

More than 90% of the industry groups tracked by IBD moved higher, led by the paint and allied building product makers and auto and truck tire maker groups.
Volume picked up from mixed trading earlier in the session, rising 17% on the Nasdaq and 4% on the NYSE.

Full article; http://www.investors.com/editorial/IBDArticles.asp?artsec=1&artnum=4&issue=20081230