The Dow Jones industrial averageÂ’s second run past 12,000 was a little more lasting as the index of blue-chip stocks closed above the mark for the first time. After failing to hold 12,000 after an early run Wednesday, the Dow on Thursday closed at 12,011.73, up 19.05 points, or 0.16 percent. It was the ninth record close for the Dow in a little more than two weeks.The DowÂ’s latest milestone came on the anniversary of Black Monday in 1987, when the Dow plunged 508 points and also suffered its second-biggest percentage drop in history. The Dow finished that day at 1,793.90.
Stocks struggled all afternoon to hold gains after a pair of reports gave fresh evidence that the Federal Reserve might have a tougher time holding interest rates steady.
The broader markets posted slight gains Thursday. The Standard & PoorÂ’s 500 index gained 1 point, or 0.07 percent, and closed at 1,366.96. The Nasdaq composite index gained 3.79 points, or 0.16 percent, and closed at 2,340.94.