Stocks surge after Bernanke allays stimulus fear

NEW YORK — The stock market surged to all-time highs Thursday after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank would keep supporting the economy for the foreseeable future.

Bernanke said the U.S. economy still needs help because unemployment remains high. His pledge of support boosted stock and bond prices. Gold also rose. Bernanke made the comments in a speech late Wednesday after U.S. markets had closed.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index jumped above its record close of 1,669 from May 21.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose to 15,430, above its own all-time closing high of 15,409 set May 28.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Upcoming Events