November 18, 1997

Dow Rises 125 Points In Rally Inspired by Japan Stocks surged in New York in response to a strong advance in Japan, where investors responded favorably to the Japanese Government's handling of a bank failure. The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 125.74 points, to 7,698.22, led by large multinationals like Coca-Cola and G.E. and technology shares like I.B.M. and Compaq. With Dell and Intel also strong, the Nasdaq composite gained 30.60 points, closing at 1,614.11. [Page D16.]

Interview with Jerry Seinfeld on his television comedy series, now in its ninth season; he says he does not know if he will do show again next year (M)

Analysis of failure of Hokkaido Takushoku Bank, first of Japan's big banks to collapse under weight of bad loans, says it is latest--and strongest--sign yet that Japanese Government is prepared to encourage market forces to reconfigure domestic financial landscape; holds with at least 3 other banks among Japan's 20 largest in little or no better shape than Hokkaido Takushoku, and many regional banks in worse straits, once-sacrosanct financial system is being pushed to modernize and consolidate; says bank's failure signals that Government, while it remains cautious on some fronts, will at least grudingly stand aside in more such cases and let market take over; table; photos (L)

Profile of and interview with Yevgeny Kolobov, iconoclastic Russian conductor whose company, Novaya Opera, will perform its searing, spare version of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin at Martin Beck Theater in New York City; photo (M)

Smith Barney is expected to announce a settlement of a class-action lawsuit contending sexual harassment at the firm. While not including any set amount of money, the settlement would allow women employees to take their claims to an independent arbitrator. Business Day, D1.