Nasdaq Edges Down, Ends The Year Off 31.5%.(B)

Byline: JONAH KERI

The Nasdaq ended 2002 much the same way it traded over the last few weeks: not as badly as in most of the prior two years, but still down. The composite index shed 0.3% for the day, 31.5% for the year. The Nasdaq 100 fell 0.6% Tuesday, 37.6% for the year. Volume edged up slightly, though it remained well below average throughout most of the holiday season.

Randgold Resources rebounded from a rare down day, climbing 0.58 to 29.36 on more than twice its 50-day average volume. The Johannesburg, South Africa-based gold mining company added to already heady recent gains late last week after reports spread that the firm may have uncovered more high-grade gold at its Morila mine in West Africa. The stock has surged 126% since going public on July 11 at 13 a share.

Able Laboratories looked to be on its way to its fifth straight down day. But after falling as low as 10.23, the stock ran up to close at 11.60, up 0.81, on brisk turnover. Formerly called DynaGen, the firm has sold its lagging distribution businesses and now focuses on making and selling generic drugs. The Medical-Generic Drugs group ranks No. 9 ...