As investors and analysts seemed to be taking the tack that the recovery from Hurricane Katrina might actually help the economy out, despite an estimate from Treasury Secretary John Snow that the fallout from Katrina could cut half a percentage point off US economic growth for the year, New York equities markets were up again on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.4 percent to 10,633.50, the Nasdaq composite index was up 0.2 percent to 2,172.03, and the S&P 500 advanced by 0.2 percent to 1,236.36.

Fast food and hotel and casino operators saw gains on the day. The hotel and casino sector fell last week, largely on hits to that industry in the hurricane zone, but is seeing a recovery this week. Starwood was up 2.3 percent to $59.80, Hilton Hotels gained 2.7 percent to $23.61, and Harrah’s Entertainment added 5.4 percent to $72.21. In the fast food sector, Yum Brands, the operator of KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell, was up 6.1 percent to $50.66 on comments that higher energy prices do not seem to be having much effect on sales. McDonald’s gained 3.2 percent to $33.70. Wendy’s advanced by 3.1 percent to $48.55.

The steel sector was also up, at least partly on expected demand in the wake of Katrina, as US Steel gained 2.2 percent to $44.71 and Nucor added 1.6 percent to $58.55. Losers on the day included semiconductor company Altera, which lost 7.8 percent to $20.11.