Dow Briefly Surpasses 11,000 for First Time Since '08

The Dow Jones industrial average rose briefly above 11,000 for the first time in 18 months, lifted by fresh signs that the economy continues to recover .  The Dow hadn't crossed that level since Sept. 29, 2008.      

The Dow briefly went over 11,000 with about five minutes left in trading Friday before settling slightly lower. The Dow had come within 12 points on both Monday and Tuesday.      

According to preliminary calculations, the Dow rose 70.28, or 0.6 percent, to close at 10,997.35. The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed 7.93, or 0.7 percent, to 1,194.37. The Nasdaq composite index rose 17.24, or 0.7 percent, to 2,454.05.      

Two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume was 970 million versus 1 billion shares Thursday.