Mixed Leader Board Mutes Net Gains

Internet stocks were treading water in midday trading Friday despite a strong showing from B2B stocks. Blue chips struggled to stay above 10,000 following news personal and government spending rose faster than expected in the fourth quarter.

At 12:15 p.m. Eastern, internet.com’s Internet Stock Index had lost 0.09, or 0.01 percent, to 983.53, the Nasdaq Composite was up 18.25 to 4,635.90 and the Dow Jones industrial average had lost 98.66 to 9,993.97.

Stocks posting a good showing included Ariba Inc. (ARBA), up 13-3/16 to 266, Broadvision Inc. (BVSN) had gained 8-13/16 to 238, Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) was up 5-5/16 to 192-3/16 and Exodus Communications (EXDS) had risen 6-11/16 to 143.

In the negative column, Network Solutions Inc. (NSOL) had lost 15-19/32 to 316-19/32, CMGI Inc. (CMGI) was off 1-9/16 to 117-13/16 and eBay Inc. (EBAY) was lower by 4-1/4 to 159-3/4.

Doubleclick Inc. (DCLK) had soared 9-7/8 to 91-13/16. Salomon Smith Barney Friday urged investors to use the company’s recent price weakness as an opportunity to increase their positions.

America Online Inc. (AOL) had gained 1/8 to 60-1/8 despite news it faces a class-action lawsuit over the latest version of its access software. A group of Washington state residents claim the online service knowingly released its 5.0 software without warning that the installation would change a computer’s dial-up networking properties and TCP/IP settings.

Priceline.com Inc. (PCLN) was off 3/8 to 56-3/8. The company Friday added gasoline to its expanding line of products.

Excite@Home Corp. (ATHM) was off 1-3/8 to 35-1/16. The company is reportedly planning to add Digital Subscriber Line connectivity to its high-speed access arsenal.

Speedus.com Inc. (SPDE) had soared 3-11/16 to 9-5/8. The provider of high-speed, wireless Internet access Friday bought wireless transmission technology from GEC Partners.

Internet Capital Group Inc. (ICGE) was off 8-7/16 to 110-11/16. The Internet incubator was down on news that several large shareholders were selling a total of 1.2 million shares. ICG also reported a fourth-quarter loss of 9 cents a share compared to a 2-cent profit a year ago.

Va Linux Systems Inc. (LNUX) had fallen 10-13/16 to 113-15/16. The software company reported a quarterly loss of 50 cents, substantially higher than the 21 cents analysts were expecting.

Investors were also giving a good recept

ion to initial public offerings. DigitalThink Inc. (DTHK) had jumped 10-13/16 to 24-13/16. The online learning company sold 4.4 million shares Thursday at $14 each, raising $61.6 million.

Also, Hotel Reservations Network Inc. (ROOM) had jumped 9-15/32 to 25-15/32. The online hotel reservation company sold 5.4 million shares at $16 each Thursday, raising $86.4 million.

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