NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks rose in light trading on Thursday as a pullback in oil prices eased concerns about inflation and a battle to control Yahoo Inc (YHOO.O) boosted the tech sector.

The Dow slides 175 points. The muni bond market is hurt as investors back away from some issues. Financial markets took another hit Thursday as the mortgage crisis continued to bleed into other types of securities, reflecting skittish investors' general pullback from risk-taking.