Shares ended higher on Monday, with the Dow Jones industrial average setting its first closing record since January 20, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite reaching their third consecutive final. The Dow DJIA,
rose around 237 points, or 0.8%, to close nearly 31,385, dropping its previous closing top of 31,188.38. S&P 500 SPX,
gained around 29 points, or 0.7%, to approach 3,916, while the Nasdaq advanced around 131 points, or 0.9%, to finish close to 13,988. Analysts said the gains, the continued launch of the COVID-19 vaccine and the expectations of Congress will approve another large round of aid spending designed to strengthen the economy helped the actions continue to push into record territory.