STOCKS broke out of a dull morning session to push to new highs for the fourth consecutive day as investors fearing an economic downturn stepped up their purchases of recession resistant issues.

At one point the Dow was up more than 50 points, prompting the New York Stock Exchange to initiate trading restrictions.

Broad market indices also moved to record highs, but were less aggressive.

Advancers led decliners by about seven to five on the NYSE, with 1,335 up, 965 down and 788 unchanged.

The NYSE's composite index rose 2.83 to 349.15. The Standard and Poor's 500 stock index rose 6.13 to 656.06. The Nasdaq composite index rose 8.27 to 1,093.15.

At the American Stock Exchange, the market index rose 2.07 to 564.66.