Wall Street advanced today ahead of the July 4 holiday as investors drew confidence from a smaller-than-expected dip in factory orders and new merger-and-acquisition activity.

Falling consumer confidence and a smaller-than-expected rise in new jobs sent stocks lower for a second session today, with downbeat earnings from Amazon.com Inc. saddling the technology sector. The major indexes each lost more than 1% this week.

A WOMAN who said she found part of a human finger in a bowl of Wendy’s chili last month has been arrested and charged with larceny in connection with the incident, authorities said yesterday.