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 The Dow has been on fire lately, propelled higher by a combination
of solid corporate earnings, a steadily strengthening economy and
easy-money policies from the Federal Reserve.
Since the start of the year, the Dow is up 22 percent and has now
topped three 1,000 point milestones in 10 months. It eclipsed 14,000
in February and 15,000 in May. If it holds onto its gains, it would
notch its strongest performance since 2003.
"The market has come a long way," said Dan Seiver, an economist at
San Diego State University. "It's a sign of just how far financial
markets have recovered."
The Dow has more than tripled since its bear market low in March
2009.
Back then, the country was in the worst downturn since the Great
Depression, the housing market had collapsed and individual
investors had abandoned stocks.
Now, with the economy recovering and confidence returning, small
investors are coming back in.
"People are getting out of bonds into stocks," said Steven Ricchiuto,
chief economist at Mizuho Securities. "We're in the early stages of
a recovery."
The Dow rose 109.17 points, or 0.7 percent, to close at 16,009.99
Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 14.48 points, or 0.8
percent, to 1,795.85. The Nasdaq composite rose 47.88 points, or 1.2
percent, to 3,969.15.
In a sign that investors are taking on more risk, small-company
stocks rose at a much faster pace than the rest of the market. The
Russell 2000 index jumped 19.83 points, or 1.8 percent, to 1,119.62.
The Labor Department reported before the market opened that
applications for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the
lowest level since September. The number of applications is close to
where it was before the Great Recession.
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General Motors rose after the U.S. government said it expects to
sell its remaining stake in the company by the end of the year. The
Treasury Department got shares after bailing out GM five years ago,
but once its sells, the automaker will be free of restrictions on
executive pay that came with the bailout. It would also be free to
pay dividends if it chooses.
GM gained 43 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $38.12. The stock is up 32
percent this year.
"Having the Treasury out is probably something that is going to be
positive for the shares," said Jeff Morris, head of U.S. equities at
Standard Life Investments. "Some investors are probably a bit
spooked by having a meaningful amount of government ownership."
Johnson Controls was among the biggest gainers in the S&P 500. The
company, which makes heating and ventilation systems for buildings,
said its board approved a $3 billion increase in its share buyback
program. The company rose $2.13, or 4.4 percent, to $50.35.
In government bond trading, the yield on the 10-year note edged down
to 2.79 percent from 2.80 percent Wednesday. The yield, which is a
benchmark used to set interest rates on many kinds of loans,
including home mortgages, is the highest it's been since Sept. 17.
[Associated
Press; BERNARD CONDON and STEVE ROTHWELL, AP Markets Writers]
Copyright 2013 The Associated
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