NEW YORK — The stock market struggled but held its ground yesterday as an upbeat assessment of the economy from the Federal Reserve offset drops in banks and energy companies.

Most stocks finished higher after the Fed said regional economic activity has generally improved since its last snapshot in October. The central bank said consumers have increased spending even as employment and commercial real estate remain weak.

The Dow slipped slightly after gaining 162 points in the first two days of the week. Reports of analysts' warnings about bank stocks hurt financial shares, while a drop in oil weighed on energy companies.