Novell Inc., whose programs manage computer networks, slid US$0.48 to US$2.60. The company reported a fourth-quarter loss on failed investments and falling sales.
Symantec Corp, whose software deflects computer viruses, tumbled US$6.89 to US$40.47. The company projected profit for the year ending March 2004 that missed analysts' forecasts.
S&P 500 futures expiring in March rose 2.70 to 840.90 on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. March futures on the NASDAQ-100 Index advanced 14 to 1,010.50. The index, a benchmark for NASDAQ's largest companies, gained 14.94, or 1.5 percent, to 1,009.74.
NASDAQ-100 tracking shares, called Cubes because of their QQQ ticker symbol, rose US$0.39 to US$25.16. The S&P 500 shares known as Spiders gained US$0.56 to US$84.90.
The Russell 2000 Index of smaller stocks dropped 0.91, or 0.3 percent, to 360.52. The Wilshire 5000 Total Market Index, the broadest measure of U.S. shares, added 32.88, or 0.4 percent, to 7,972.60. Based on the Wilshire's change, the market value of US stocks rose by US$39.46 billion.
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