Oct. 31--With the market's poor final trading day of the month, Trib 30 stocks in October broke a seven-month string of increases going back to March.

The index of local stocks ended the month at 239.2, a bit under September's close of 239.7. Losers buried gainers in October by two-to-one, with 21 losing stocks to nine gainers.

The Dow Jones industrial average, on which the Trib 30 was modeled, lost 250 points on Friday. The national index literally marked time in October, closing at 9,713 about one point off September's close.

At the same time, six local stocks -- including two retail-related -- managed to set new 52-week highs during October.

The Trib 30 is an equal-weighted index of stocks of companies located or dominant in Western Pennsylvania. An investor who divided $100,000 equally among the 30 stocks on Dec. 31, 1999, had a portfolio worth $239,200 at the end of trading yesterday.

Many of the local losses in were steep in October, when most companies posted quarterly earnings. For instance, First Commonwealth Financial posted a quarterly loss in October, mainly due to construction loans. The stock fell to a new 52-week low of $4.57, its second in as many months, and was the only Trib 30 issue to set a new low this month.

On the other hand, strong earnings pushed PPG to a new high of $62.31 this month.

Mylan rose to a new high of $16.95, boosted by positive analyst reports. It was the generic drugmaker's third new high in as many months.

Clothing retailer American Eagle Outfitters soared to $19.86, amid reports of healthy Labor Day sales and projections for continued strength. Shipper FedEx hit a new high of $82.34, despite reports three states' attorneys general might sue the company over alleged labor violations.

EQT, the natural gas producer, received an analyst's "buy" recommendation and reached a new high of $46.80.

Software maker Ansys hit a new high of $43.68 on no apparent market-moving news.

Thomas Olson can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7854.

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