IBD'S TOP 10.(A)

Deal On For Inspectors' Return

1Chief U.N. weapons inspector Hans Blix made a tentative deal with Iraq to return to check for illegal, nuclear, chemical or biological arms. Iraq accepted previous U.N. resolutions, but it won't let inspectors into "palaces." The U.S. opposed new inspections without new Security Council instructions. If inspectors move sooner, the U.S. will go into "thwart mode," an official said.

Stocks Stop Slump With A Bang

2After a frosty morning session, blue chips soared in the afternoon. The Dow rose 4.6% as all 30 components gained. The S&P 500 zoomed ahead 4%. Insurance, laser, financial and building stocks led. NYSE volume picked up in the afternoon, but ended virtually unchanged. The Nasdaq surged 3.6% on slightly heavier trade. The Russell 2000 rallied 1.6%. More on B2

Factory Sector Weakens In Sept.

3Manufacturing activity shrank for the first time in eight months, a sign recovery may be dissipating. The closely watched ISM index fell to 49.5 from 50.5 in Aug. A reading above 50 signals expansion, below that, contraction. The production index fell to 50.9 from 55.6; the price index rose to 62.5 from 61.5. But 13 of 20 manufacturing industries reported growth. More on this page

West Coast Shipping Paralyzed