In Providence, by contrast, government employment rose; lingering weakness across the economy seemed to be the issue.
The technology-laden Nasdaq composite index also rose despite weakness in computer chip and chip equipment stocks, climbing 45.99 points, or 2percentto to 2,308.50.
The MSCI index of Asia Pacific stocks traded outside Japan rose 0.6percentt Weakness in the technology and consumer discretionary sectors -- two of the most expensive segments of the Asian market -- kept the broader market in check.
Texas Instruments, the world's biggest maker of semiconductors for mobile phones, said Monday its quarterly net profit and revenue rose as weakness in its wireless business was offset by strength in other markets.
But sales of plumbing fixtures are still rising, despite the weakness in new-home construction.
Kodak, a Dow component, warned of disappointing profits, saying its business has been hurt by rising material costs, weakness in the euro, and other factors.
Other luxury retailers were rising despite the weakness in Tiffany Monday, which was down 3.1% to $45.79.
"Now rising inflation and pound weakness will pare living standards back down," the bank's analysts wrote.
The Kellogg Company's second-quarter income fell 12 percent, the company said Thursday, hurt by rising commodity costs and weakness in Europe.
Scattered signs of weakness -- rising new claims for unemployment insurance, sales warnings at Target and Wal-Mart, falling numbers for new durable goods orders -- have led many analysts to suspect that growth slowed further in the second quarter.
