Stocks pared early gains and the Dow briefly turned negative on Wednesday as investors doubted if the market would sustain Tuesday's sharp recovery, even as comments by Bear Stearns Cos. Inc. eased some worries about the financial sector.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 7.89 points, or 0.06 percent, at 13,314.98. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 3.52 points, or 0.24 percent, at 1,484.57. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 1.71 points, or 0.06 percent, at 2,675.36.

(Editing by Kenneth Barry)

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