New York ? Stocks resumed their upward path late Tuesday, climbing back from earlier losses to close higher for the first time in three days. Analysts attributed the upturn to technical factors rather than positive reports on durable goods orders and consumer confidence.

Stocks also were pressured for most of the session by cautionary words from Intel about the state of the technology business.

The fluctuations in stock prices once again came in light trading as many traders and their clients were away on late-summer vacations.

“A lot of this is technical. … With this light of volume, it is easy to have these intraday trend levels change. It takes less buying or selling to change the direction of the market,” said Chris Johnson, manager of quantitative analysis at Schaeffer’s Investment Research in Cincinnati.

After losing as much as 84.56 earlier, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 22.81, or 0.2 percent, at 9,340.45. The gain followed a two-day loss of 106.04.

The broader market also turned higher in the late afternoon. The Nasdaq composite index rose 6.34, or 0.4 percent, to 1,770.65. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index advanced 3.02, or 0.3 percent, to 996.73.

Analysts said the market has already priced in expectations of good economic news. They attributed the market’s volatility to thin trading and the latent weariness of investors who remain uncertain about the second half of the year.

The run-up in stock prices in recent months “fully reflects the improvements in the economy that we’re expecting right now,” said John Caldwell, chief investment strategist for McDonald Financial Group.

Stocks were mixed with companies shares trading on news specific to them.

Intel rose 47 cents to $27.71, rebounding from earlier losses that were based on cautious comments by its chief executive, Craig Barrett. He said it was too soon to predict a recovery in the chip industry. On Friday, however, Intel raised its third-quarter revenue estimate.

Xerox rose 85 cents to $10.39 after SG Cowen upgraded it to “strong buy” from “market perform.”

Target rose 39 cents to $39.10 after the retailer said its sales last week were well above its plans.