NEW YORK — Wall Street ended an erratic session with a big advance Tuesday as investors uneasy about the economy were reassured by solid earnings from blue chip names including Apple Inc. and American Express Co. The Dow Jones industrial average rose more than 100 points.

Technology stocks were among the biggest gainers after Apple surpassed analysts' expectations with a 67 percent jump in fiscal fourth-quarter profit on strong sales of Macintosh computers, iPods and iPhones. Two Dow components — American Express, one of the largest credit card companies, and chemicals maker DuPont Co. — posted better-than-expected profit gains as well.

But comments from DuPont chief executive Charles Holliday Jr. that the company doesn't expect a recovery in the housing market next year reminded investors of the still uneasy forecasts for the economy. Holliday's remarks helped pull the major indexes down from their session highs before the indicators rebounded in afternoon trading.

"Housing is obviously still a big concern, and the question is how much does it spill over into the rest of the economy," said Alexander Paris, economist and market analyst for Chicago-based Barrington Research. "I think the trend for the market is down unless investors see something positive, and the market drifts back up again."

The Dow rose 109.26, or 0.81 percent, to 13,676.23.

The stock market extended its recovery from Monday after plunging Friday. Wall Street had sold off for five straight sessions as worries about the credit market's effect on the economy escalated when several blue chip companies offered sluggish outlooks and Standard & Poor's downgraded more mortgage-backed securities.

Analysts believe investors are also looking for the Federal Reserve to throw them a lifeline when it meets next week to decide the future of rates. Wall Street widely expects another rate cut.

"I think you're going to see trading will be really choppy between now and next week's Federal Reserve meeting," said Scott Fullman, director of investment strategy for I.A. Englander & Co.

Earnings commanded most of the attention Tuesday as investors looked for any indication about how companies fared during the quarter, and what they expect for the balance of the year.

Apple rose $11.80, or 6.3 percent, to $186.16 after the company reported it shipped a record 2.16 million Macs in the quarter, an increase of 34 percent from the same period a year ago. That generated $3.1 billion, or about half of the company's revenue for the quarter.

American Express said late Monday that higher spending by cardholders pushed third-quarter profit up 10 percent. Shares rose $1.79, or 3.2 percent, to $58.66.

DuPont posted a larger profit for the third quarter on agricultural and nutritional products in Latin America and boosted its full-year outlook. Its stock rose 24 cents to $46.81.