NEW YORK — Investors worried about the recession have turned to a strategy of cherry-picking stocks — sending tech shares higher and industrials lower.

The market's concerns yesterday were focused on two fronts: the economic stimulus proposal now before the Senate, and a possible plan to give further aid to the nation's banks. Meanwhile, mostly negative economic data and news of more layoffs helped extend the gloomy mood that gave the market its worst January ever.

All the uncertainty yesterday, which also included still-to-be-released fourth-quarter earnings reports, weighed on the overall market. But tech stocks were one of the few bright spots.