The markets did well today by not giving back any of the gains; in fact, they added to them, particularly in the blue chips.

The day started out with back and forth early action, and then a thrust to the upside that took them to new rally highs. They pulled back, retested successfully, then came on again and equaled their highs but couldn't get through and created mini double-tops intraday. They then had a mid-day sharp pullback that held the 4-day trendlines, then they backed and filled into the close , firming in the last few minutes to add to the gains.

The Dow was up 101 1/2 and the S&P 500 up 11.3, but the NDX was up just 4.88 today. The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOXX) was up 3.18.

The technicals had a solid day on New York in particular, where advance-declines were a little less than 2 to 1 positive. Up/down volume was 2 1/2 to 1 positive. On Nasdaq, however, advance-declines were ahead by just 345 issues, but the up/down volume was about 11 to 6 positive. Total volume was less than 1.2 billion on New York and about 1.8 billion on Nasdaq.

TheTechTrader.com board was mostly higher, with some very sharp multi-point gainers . Shippers were strong again. DryShips (DRYS) gained 1.73, although that was about 2 1/2 points off its high. Excel Maritime (EXM) had an exceptional day, up 4.21, and TBS International (TBSI) was also up 1 today.

The solars, particularly junior solars, had a very strong session. Canadian Solar (CSIQ) was up 3.13, Ascent Solar (ASTI) up 2.45, Chart of the Week Hoku Scientific (HOKU) up 1.42, Solarfun (SOLF) up 1.30 and Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) up 1.32.

Other outstanding stocks today included former Chart of the Week Cardica (CRDC), up 2.50 on more than 2 million shares, and Sigma Designs (SIGM), up another 1.73 at 72.17, hitting a new all-time high at 73 earlier in the session. Cardica was our Chart of the Day today.

In the Chinese sector, China Natural Resources (CHNR) was up 1.88, although that was some 3 points higher earlier in the session, and Home Inns & Hotels (HMIN) gained 1 today.

On the downside there were just small fractional losses and just a few issues at that. Taser (TASR) dropped 20 cents. Portfolio position GVP gave back 28 cents. But for the most part it was a strong session on the Street and on the day before the FOMC makes its announcement.

We'll see how it goes, but today's consolidation-type was a bullish one. The important thing is that key trendlines and price support did hold.

Harry Boxer is a technical consultant to many Wall Street hedge funds and large institutional traders, and author of TheTechTrader.com, a real-time diary of his day, swing and intermediate-term trades. For more of Harry Boxer, sign up for a free 15-day trial to his Real-Time Technical Trading Diary, or sign up for a free 30-day trial to his Top Charts of the Week service.