US Markets Close at Record Highs as Major Indices Extend Gains

Major US stock indices extended gains yesterday, and closed at record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose over 0.4 per cent, to close at 51 thousand 308. The S&P 500 gained 0.1 per cent to close at 7 thousand 610, while the Nasdaq Composite index ended marginally up to settle at 27 thousand 94.
 
On the economic front, US job openings rose sharply to 7.6 million in April, an increase of 731,000 from the previous month, while both hiring and overall separations eased, according to a report from the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. The data suggests demand for labour remained strong even as worker movement in payrolls cooled.