The Night Watch: Traders Focus on Unusual Suspects

The extended session Wednesday played host to some unusual guests as the widely held technology shares, which dominate the Instinet volume leader board almost every day, and retailers with news after the close took a back seat.

Microstrategy (MSTR Quote) was the most active stock, but the issue was unchanged from its 4 p.m. EST closing level at $2.88. WorldCom (WCOM Quote) was the also among the volume leaders, trading down 1.2% to $8.54.

Investors were also actively swapping the tracking stocks for the three major averages after the close. The S&P 500 Depositary Receipts (SPY Quote) were flat at $116.75, and the Nasdaq 100 Unit Trust (QQQ Quote) was up 0.5% at $37.80. The Dow Diamonds (DIA Quote) were inching up 0.1% to $106.05. ...