Specifically, the NCBR Index climbed 15.26 points, or 1.17 percent, to close at 1318.97. National indices rode a wild roller coaster, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 33.60 points, or 0.61 percent, to 5584.97, while the S&P 500 Index slipped 10.45 points, or 1.60 percent, to close at 640.87.

The NCBR Index read as follows: Advancing issues edged out declining issues by a 35-to-29 count, and 24 stocks reached new 52-week highs vs. three that dipped to new 52-week lows.

Turning to stocks in the accompanying table:

Hach Co. of Loveland reported an increase in net income for the third quarter ended Jan. 27, 1996. The company’s net income for the recent quarter was $2.8 million, or 24 cents a share, compared with $2.3 million, or 20 cents a share, in the year-ago quarter. For the month, Hach stock was off 0.50 points, or 2.99 percent, to close at $16.25.

Hewlett-Packard Co. said it is teaming up with Microsoft Corp. to offer a new line of personal computers aimed at small businesses. The computers, which are part of H-P’s Vectra Series 500 computers, will come pre-installed with Microsoft business productivity and other application software. Hewlett-Packard emerged as the largest dollar gainer in our index, as it jumped 13.38 points, or 15.51 percent, to close at $99.63.

Applied Computer Technology Inc. of Fort Collins renewed its annual contract to provide computers to freshmen at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. The $2.2 million contract will provide about 1,100 personal computers during August 1996.

Neil Nordby is president of Nordby International Inc., a Colorado-based financial-information firm.