Stocks End Down; Dow Off 20.65 NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks turned lower in late trading today as lingering concerns about leading technology companies sapped the market's modest gains. The Dow Jones industrial average was down 20.65 at 10,866.74. Broader stock indicators were lower. The technology-dominated Nasdaq composite index was down 34.98 at 2,542.42. For several days, stocks have traded in a narrow band as investors struggled to determine whether a recent rise in inflation will prompt the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates in an effort to slow the runaway economy. Today the Philadelphia Federal Reserve offered fresh evidence of steady but not inflationary economic growth. Financial Figures NEW YORK (AP) -- Financial figures at the close: Dow Industrials: 10,866.74 - 20.65 NYSE Issues: Advances 1735 Declines 1211 Unchgd 582 NYSE Volume: 719,592,060 Most Active NYSE issue: America Online129 1/8 - 5 3/8 S&P 500: 1338.83 - 5.40 AMEX Mkt Value Index: 792.03 + 3.67 Nasdaq Composite Index 2,542.42 - 34.98 Gold(final) - $274.30 troy oz., NY Comex spot month Thu. Silver(final) - UNCH troy oz., NY Comex spot month Wed. Trade Deficit Hits Record High WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States monthly trade deficit hit its third monthly record in a row in March -- $19.7 billion. It was up 2.9 percent from the record $19.1 billion in February. The deficit with Japan shot up to the highest level in more than four years, the Commerce Department said today. So far this year, the U.S. trade deficit is running at an annual rate of $222.6 billion, nearly one-third higher than the all-time high of $169.3 billion set last year as the global financial crisis continues to wreck havoc with America's trade performance. Vitamin Makers To Pay $725M Fine WASHINGTON (AP) -- Two giant foreign companies agreed today to pay $725 million in fines for plotting to raise and fix the prices of vitamins used in virtually every American home and added to bread, milk and breakfast cereal. The $500 million fine to be paid by Hoffmann-LaRoche Ltd., a Swiss pharmaceutical company, is the largest federal criminal fine ever imposed in any type of case, Attorney General Janet Reno said. A German firm, BASF AG, agreed to pay a $225 million fine for its role in the conspiracy to increase vitamin prices in the United States and around the world. Both companies pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Dallas. Reno and aides said Americans paid hundreds of millions of dollars in illegally inflated prices for vitamins and food staples such as vitamin-enriched bread. Software Maker To Take on Microsoft BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) -- A tiny software maker that once did business with Microsoft is taking on the maker of Windows in a trial some say could break new ground in antitrust challenges against Bill Gates and his company. Bristol Technology Inc., a Danbury firm with just 70 employees, is to go to trial June 2 in a lawsuit that claims Microsoft is improperly withholding software code that Bristol says is vital for its survival. The case is not directly related to the larger lawsuit filed against Microsoft by the U.S. Department of Justice and 19 states. However, it has a similar theme. Bristol contends Microsoft is abusing the market power of its Windows NT business software, which runs powerful corporate machines that direct networks of smaller personal computers. Bertelsmann, Microsoft May Make Bid GUETERSLOH, Germany (AP) -- Bertelsmann is considering a joint bid with Microsoft Corp. for part of the cable television network owned by the German phone company Deutsche Telekom. Thomas Middelhoff, Bertelsmann's chairman, said the German media group was ``in talks'' with Microsoft about a joint bid, according to a company spokesman. Neither company was willing to comment directly on the discussions, eToys' Stock Shoots Higher in IPO NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of eToys more than quadrupled on their first day of trading today after the Internet toy merchant raised $166 million in a much-anticipated initial public offering. The new stock was priced at $20 a share, but soared as high as $85 before closing at $76 9/16 on the Nasdaq. While the IPO came amid some weakness in Internet stocks in recent weeks, the offering exceeded most expectations and signaled that Wall Street hasn't abandoned its interest in Internet issues. Healtheon, WebMD Plan Merger NEW YORK (AP) -- Healtheon Corp. and WebMD Inc. are merging in an estimated $7.8 billion stock swap, creating a powerful Internet company offering health care services and information for consumers, doctors, insurers and drug makers. Healtheon's shares soared on the news, rising 20 1/4 to 100 1/2. The market's enthusiastic reception may have reflected the support the venture from industry leaders like Microsoft Corp. which will invest $250 million in the combined company. WebMD is privately held. Merrill Lynch Charged in Copper Case WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal regulators today charged Merrill Lynch & Co. with allegedly helping a commodities firm to manipulate the world copper market and artificially force prices higher in late 1995. Geoffrey Aronow, the enforcement director for the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, said today's action capped a three-year investigation of ``one of the most serious worldwide manipulations'' of a commodity in 25 years. Merrill denied the allegations and said it will defend itself. The CFTC also announced charges against the commodities firm, Global Minerals and Metals Corp., its president and chief executive officer and its chief copper trader. The CFTC filed a civil complaint against the companies and individuals, asking for a hearing before an administrative law judge at the agency to determine if the charges are true and what penalties may be appropriate. Greenspan Backs U.S. Reform Efforts WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin today backed steps the Clinton administration has taken to make the global financial system less susceptible to future Asian-style currency crises. Greenspan and Rubin outlined some of the steps before the House Banking Committee. They include measures to strengthen rules to encourage greater financial disclosure by developing countries and to put into place guidelines that will discourage these countries from taking too many risks when they borrow money. Guilty Plea in Floor Broker Case NEW YORK (AP) -- The owners of a Wall Street brokerage that allowed New York Stock Exchange floor brokers to execute personal trades ahead of orders for their customers pleaded guilty today to securities conspiracy. The case marked the first time federal prosecutors and the Securities and Exchange Commission have brought charges against anyone for making personal trades on the floor of the exchange. William Killeen, Thomas William Bock, their company Oakford Corp., and four other stockbrokers entered their pleas before U.S. Judge Jed S. Rakoff in Manhattan. Killeen, 39, of Colts Neck, N.J., was the president of Oakford, a now defunct brokerage firm which opened in 1992. Bock, 46, of Garden City was the vice president. Economic Numbers WASHINGTON (AP) -- Economic numbers: Trade deficit: up 2.9 percent to $19.7 billion Jobless claims: down 12,000 to 299,000 -=-=- 