Dow near record high

Wall Street surged today, carrying the Dow Jones industrials to their second-best close yet, as positive economic data further buoyed a growing sense of optimism among investors. The Dow closed just 53 points from its record high close.

Stocks, particularly the blue chips, moved higher after the Conference Board said its consumer confidence index for September rose more than expected, reaching 104.5 from a revised reading of 100.2 in August. Analysts forecast the index would rise to 103.