Internet Sector Stumbles Into Weekend

SAN FRANCISCO -- It's shaping up to be an ugly Friday in the technology sector, and Internet stocks are gasping for breath heading into the weekend.

Lack of news appears to be the culprit behind losses in most Internet stocks, though some weakness could be attributed to a research report by Media Metrix that showed the total number of unique visitors on the Internet in April declined 0.7% to 61.1 million users from 61.6 million users in March.

In a research note released today, BT Alex. Brown analysts said the numbers indicated that improved weather may have contributed to the flat reading, showing that seasonal effects on the Internet are "becoming more pronounced."

Among the leading Net-stock losers this afternoon was @Home (ATHM Quote), which fell 7 3/16, or 5%, to 129 9/16 after losing 10 points on Thursday. ...