NEW YORK (AP) — The mere discussion of more economic stimulus from the Federal Reserve was enough to send stocks higher.
Minutes from the Fed’s latest policy meeting Aug. 9 showed that central bank officials discussed a variety of options to bolster the economy, including buying more Treasury bonds. In the end, they decided to keep interest rates low until at least mid-2013.
The talk of more aggressive action sent the Dow Jones industrial average up 20 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at 11,560 Tuesday. The Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3 points, or 0.2 percent, to close 1,213. The Nasdaq rose 14, or 0.5 percent, to 2,576.
About two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange. Volume was lighter than usual at 3.9 billion shares.
Full story: News from The Associated Press.