Dow passes 18,000 for first time

US stocks have pushed further into record territory as the Dow Jones industrial average topped 18,000 points for the first time.

Traders have been encouraged by signs of strength in the US economy and reassurances that the Federal Reserve will not change interest rates soon.

There was more encouraging news as the US government reported that the economy powered ahead at a 5% annual rate in the third quarter, the fastest pace in more than a decade.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 43 points, or 0.2%, in early trading to 18,003.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose six points, or 0.3%, to 2,084, and the Nasdaq rose six points, or 0.1%, to 4,787.