The S&P 500 Index ($SPX) (SPY) Wednesday closed up by +0.71%, the Dow Jones Industrials Index ($DOWI) (DIA) closed up by +1.03%, and the Nasdaq 100 Index ($IUXX) (QQQ) closed up by +0.80%.

Stocks rallied Wednesday, with the S&P 500 posting a new record high, the Dow Jones Industrials posting a 1-1/2 week high, and the Nasdaq 100 posting a 2-3/4 month high.  Positive comments from Fed Vice Chair Jefferson boosted stocks when he said the US economy is growing at a "solid pace."  Stocks also rose on Wednesday on speculation that Thursday’s US consumer price report will show easing price pressures.

On the negative side, Boeing closed down more than -3% after negotiations to end an almost month-long workers’ strike collapsed.  Also, Alphabet closed down more than -1% after the US Justice Department told a federal judge that it was considering recommending that Google be forced to sell off parts of its operations to remedy an antitrust suit.

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