Wednesday's unofficial close: Dow Jones tops 12,000

The blue chip Dow Jones industrial average on Wednesday sailed past 12,000 for the first time in its 110-year history and the S&P 500 hit its highest in nearly six years as US stocks rallied on strong profits from bellwethers such as IBM.
Even though the surge prompted profit-taking, causing both the Dow and the S&P 500 to end sharply off their session highs, the Dow still managed to hit a record close. The Nasdaq ended in negative territory, reversing an earlier climb.
Based on the latest available data, the Dow Jones industrial average gained 42.66 points, or 0.36 percent, to end unofficially at a record 11,992.68. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index added 1.91 points, or 0.14 percent, to finish unofficially at 1,365.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 7.80 points, or 0.33 percent, to close unofficially at 2,337.15.