Nasdaq, S&P, Dow Jones Industrial Average Close at Record Highs

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) held fairly steady after bounding to a fresh all-time high in the morning. In fact, the DJIA, S&P 500 Index (SPX), and Nasdaq Composting (COMP) each held enough momentum to not only tap intraday highs, but also end the day at record closing highs. A sustained rally in crude oil helped keep stocks floating higher amid relatively low trading volumes, with investors hoping for price stabilization methods out of major producers in the not-too-distant future. 

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• 10 stocks to watch after the Nasdaq's biggest seven-week gain since 2009.
• The tech stock that's quadrupled since its late-June IPO. 
• The mysterious rally that had GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) calls catching fire. 
• Plus... Comments from a central banker, new technologies coming to Audi, and why it might be time to buy Facebook options. 
  

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 18,636.05) added 59.6 points, or 0.3%. DuPont (NYSE:DD) led 19 of the 30 components higher, while UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:UNH) paced 10 laggards, and General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) closed flat.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,190.15) climbed 6.1 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 5,262.02) gained 29.1 points, or 0.6%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 11.81) added 0.3 point, or 2.3%. 

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. Ahead of Wednesday's highly anticipated Fed meeting minutes, San Francisco Federal Reserve President John Williams today suggested that the central bank should consider raising its current target for inflation. Williams also noted that the Fed may need to turn to new policies, while also saying there are "limits to what monetary policy can and indeed, should do.” (MarketWatch)
2. In a first for the traffic industry, carmaker Audi -- owned by Volkswagen -- is reported developing new technology that will allow cars to communicate directly with traffic signals for select models that will use its vehicle-to-infrastructure (V-to-I) system. At a time when certain assisted-driving features are coming under fire, a company official noted the technology is "designed not as a safety feature but a comfort and convenience feature." (Reuters)
3. The chatter that sent Fitbit Inc (NYSE:FIT) stock soaring -- and drew call players to the options pits.
4. Why options buyers should consider Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB).
5. The drug news that led this biotech stock to drop half its value.

Data courtesy of Trade-Alert

Commodities:

Oil prices extended their rally by another day, thanks to speculation that Russia, along with other major oil producers, may be ready to implement price-stabilization measures. In addition, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted a decline in U.S. shale oil output in September. Crude oil for September delivery finished the day up $1.25, or 2.8%, at $45.74 per barrel -- a one-month high.

Gold also closed higher as the strength of the dollar waned. With traders looking ahead to the release of minutes from the July Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting, December-dated gold settled up $4.30, or 0.3%, at $1,347.50 an ounce.

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