Dow Tops 18,000 for First Time on Strong GDP Data

US stocks pushed further into record territory on Tuesday as the Dow Jones industrial average crossed past the 18,000-point mark for the first time. Investors cheered new data showing the US economy grew in the third quarter at the fastest pace in more than a decade.

KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average rose 68 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 18,027 as of 9:58 a.m. Eastern time. The Standard & Poor's 500 gained five points, or 0.3 per cent, to 2,083. The Nasdaq composite slipped less than one point to 4,780.

GROWTH SPURT: The Commerce Department reported that the economy grew at a 5 per cent annual rate in the July-September period, powered by stronger consumer spending and business investment. That's the fastest quarterly growth since the summer of 2003.

ECONOMIC BAROMETERS: Investors were monitoring a mixed bag of economic reports early Tuesday including factory orders, which declined in November amid falling demand in the military and defense sectors.

SECTOR VIEW: Nine of the 10 sectors in the S&P 500 moved higher, with financials posting the biggest gain. Health care stocks fell. Chesapeake Energy led the gainers in the S&P 500, rising 99 cents, or 5.4 per cent, to $19.41. Celgene paced the decliners, falling $6.67, or 5.9 per cent, to $106.83.

HOLIDAY RALLY: Major stock indexes have ended higher the past four trading days, with the Dow and S&P 500 closing at record highs on Monday. Investors have been encouraged by signs of strength in the U.S. economy and reassurances that the Federal Reserve won't interest rates soon. Trading volume is expected to thin out the next couple of days as the market shifts into Christmas holiday mode. On Wednesday, US and European markets close early.

OVERSEAS ACTION: In Europe, France's CAC-40 added 1.3 per cent and Germany's DAX rose 0.5 per cent. Britain's FTSE rose 0.5 per cent. In Asia, the Shanghai Composite Index closed down 3 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.3 per cent and Seoul's Kospi lost 0.2 per cent. India's Sensex declined 0.6 per cent.

ENERGY: Oil prices stabilized after a recent rout. Benchmark US crude rose 48 cents to $55.74 per barrel.

BONDS: U.S. government bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.20 per cent.