The increase, the third consecutive monthly advance, reflected booming demand for electronic products.

For the week, the Dow gained 18.22 points, its fifth consecutive weekly advance.

Business sales surged 1.5 percent, for a fifth consecutive advance.

It was the second consecutive monthly advance; in June the increase was 4.4 percent.

That was the fifth consecutive monthly advance and the best showing since March.

Despite the small gain, it was the third consecutive advance in incomes.

The tiny gain in the Dow was its fifth consecutive advance, for a total of about 91 points.

It was the sixth consecutive advance for the index and the first time it has closed above 4,300.

It was the fourth consecutive monthly advance in the index.

Sales of new homes picked up by 1 percent in March, the second consecutive monthly advance, the Government said.