US stock market edges into record area

The US stock market edged further into record territory today as traders were encouraged by the latest corporate earnings.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose seven points, or 0.4%, to 2,031.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 69 points, or 0.4%, to 17,554 and the Nasdaq composite gained 17 points, or 0.4%, to 4,638.

Whole Foods Market jumped 12%, the most in the S&P 500, after reporting earnings which beat analysts’ estimates.

European stocks rose and the euro fell after the president of the European Central Bank said the bank is preparing the groundwork for further stimulus measures.

The price of oil fell 77 cents to 77.91 US dollars a barrel in New York.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.38%.