U.S. stocks rise to records after Bernanke says economy still needs help from the Fed

7/11/2013

NEW YORK — The stock market is rising to record highs after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank would continue to support the U.S. economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 151 points, or 1 percent, to 15,443 after the first few minutes of trading today.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 17 points, also 1 percent, to 1,670.

The early advance put the Dow and S&P above their previous record closes set in May.

All 10 industry groups in the S&P 500 rose.

Investors also bought bonds after being reassured that the Fed was not in a hurry to pull back on its huge bond-buying program.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.59 percent from 2.63 percent late Wednesday.