More records for U.S. stocks as Dow tops 18,000 for first time

The Dow industrials closed above 18,000 for the first time ever and the S&P 500 notched up its 51st record close of the year, underscoring confidence in the strength of the U.S. economy.

The S&P 500 index SPX, +0.17%   set an intraday record of 2,086.75 and closed up 3.6 points, or 0.2%, at 2,082.17. Energy and materials stocks led the gains, while the health-care sector closed with a 2.2% loss.