The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 both charged to new all time highs today after investors looked favorably upon the Fed minutes released this afternoon. The Dow finished the day higher by 120 points. The Nasdaq finished higher by 16.54, a smaller gain on a percentage basis. The S&P 500 gained 12.57 points, or 0.81% on the day. 
The recent market leaders were back at it again today. Yes, the basic material stocks and energy stocks led the charge higher once again.
The basic material stocks soared today, with many of them reaching new 52 week highs. Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold (NYSE:FCX) gained 4.41% to hit a new high today. Potash Corporation (NYSE:POT) shares surged 8.92% to a new high on more than double their normal daily volume. The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) shares jumped by 8.23% after the company reported record earnings and provided an upbeat outlook.
Energy stocks rose as oil prices moved higher by over $1 a barrel today. Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) gained 2.65% today and hit a new 52 week high. Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA) gained 3.43% as the independent energy producers were strong across the board today. Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU) shares rose 4.38%, leading coal stocks higher today.
Financials were also pretty strong on the day today, with some large cap financials showing significant strength. American Express (NYSE:AXP) shares gained 3.02% on the day. Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS) shares shot higher by over 12 points, or 5.39% to new all-time high today. Asset management firms were extremely strong today. Franklin Resources (NYSE:BEN) gained 6.25% while Janus Capital (NYSE:JNS) shot higher by 6.72%.
Notable 52 Week Highs
- Yum Brands (NYSE:YUM) shares jumped 5.02% on tremendous volume, providing a nice follow through to yesterday's rally in the stock after good earnings.
- Altair Nanotechnologies (Nasdaq:ALTI) shares jumped 31% after positive reviews from an all electric delivery demonstration.
- Dryships (Nasdaq:DRYS) shares jumped another 10% today. This is the stock that will not stop running higher it seems. The stock has gained over 250% in the past 3 months.
- Juniper Networks (Nasdaq:JNPR) shares rose by 1.83% on nice volume.
- Express Scripts (Nasdaq:ESRX) shares gained 4.01% on the day.
The volume on the exchanges was quite good today. The Nasdaq finished over 1.9 billion shares traded. In many of the recent days the Nasdaq has been trading about 1.6 billion. The new highs outpaced new lows by more than 3 to 1 on both the Nasdaq and the NYSE.
The major business channels were making a big deal out of the fact that today marked the 5th anniversary of the current bull market. Since today marks 5 years of the bull market, I wanted to ask readers what they think of the next 5 years? Do you think the next 5 years will be prosperous for the stock market or a turbulent one?
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