![“The Bernanke Boost” – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2011/08/Wall-Street-Sign-Michael-Nagle-Getty1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
“The Bernanke Boost” – Acadiana Business Index
Stocks finished sharply higher on Thursday. Mike Hunter has your stock market report on the Acadiana Business Index.
- The Dow advanced 169 points to a record close at 15460. The S&P 500 climbed 22 points to a new all-time high at 1675. The NASDAQ jumped 57 points to 3575.
- The major averages rallied following comments from Fed Chairman Bernanke. In a speech after Thursday’s close, Bernanke said the central bank will maintain its accommodative monetary policy for the foreseeable future.
- On the economic front, a report showed initial jobless claims unexpectedly rose 16,000 to 360,000 in the prior week.
- All 10 sectors in the S&P 500 were higher on the session. Materials and technology were the best performing groups. Freeport McMoRan gained 4.6% to $28.53 and Newmont Mining surged 5.7% to $28.12 as gold rallied amid a weaker dollar. Apple rose 1.6% to $427.29. Microsoft increased 2.8% to $35.68 after it announced a reorganization of its business units. Homebuilders were higher paced by a 9.2% rise in DR Horton to $22.98. Bank stocks underperformed. Regions Financial fell $0.25 to $9.88. JP Morgan was up $0.31 to $55.14 ahead of its earnings release Friday before the open.
- Advancers beat decliners on the NYSE by more than 13-2 on issues and 8-1 on volume. NYSE Composite volume was more than 3.4 billion shares. The NASDAQ was 8-3 positive on issues and 5-1 on volume.
- Treasuries extended their winning streak to a fourth session with the 10-year note up 15/32 to yield 2.57%.
For the complete report, click Ken's Market Report.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Stocks Retreat Ahead Of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke’s Testimony Before Congress – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/05/Wall-Street-2-Spencer-Platt-Getty23-300x200111.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke Issues Warning Concerning Central Bank And The Fiscal Cliff – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/05/Wall-Street-2-Spencer-Platt-Getty23-300x200111.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Comments From Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke Lead Gains On Wall Street – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/04/Wall-Street-spencer-platt-Getty2-300x2003111.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Stocks End Positive Despite Bernanke’s Testimony On Further Stimulus Measures – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/07/Ken-Meyers-503x630.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Good News In Greece Leads To Rise In Stocks – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/02/Wall-Street-2-Spencer-Platt-Getty23.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Weekly Unemployment Claims Released – Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2012/02/Wall-Street-2-Spencer-Platt-Getty2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dow Ends Positive After Horrible Two Days: Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2011/11/Wall-Street-spencer-platt-Getty.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Dow Rises As Investors Look Ahead To Bernanke’s Stimulus Proposal](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2011/09/Wall-Street-2-Spencer-Platt-Getty2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Investors Looking Ahead To Bernanke’s Speech: Acadiana Business Index](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2011/08/Wall-Street-spencer-platt-Getty4.jpg?w=980&q=75)