Strong internet earnings expected to help Nasdaq

US smaller companies are likely to lag blue chip technology stocks in an expected Nasdaq rally in the fourth quarter 2000. Fund managers remain largely optimistic about the Nasdaq's near term outlook, despite recent volatility in the market, with many anticipating strong growth. The Nasdaq posted strong returns from the last quarter of 1999 until April 2000, when investor confidence crumbled. Despite a stuttering performance in the third quarter, with a 439.36 point rise in August being just as quickly corrected in September, investor confidence is slowly being restored. Geoff Paton, he...