Nasdaq Closes Above 5,000 For First Time Since 2000

U.S. stocks began the month on a positive note, with a Monday's rally sending the Nasdaq Composite above 5,000 for the first time since 2000, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average scored new records. The march higher came amid economic reports on Monday that pointed to a slowdown in manufacturing activity as well as consumer spending. However, investors brushed off slightly disappointing data, seemingly content with the fact the U.S. economy is still growing, albeit, at a more modest clip. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day up 44.57 points, or 0.9%, at 5,008.10, leaving it only one percentage point off from its record level. The tech-heavy index closed above 5,000 only twice before in 2000. The S&P 500 added 12.89 points, or 0.6%, to 2,117.39, an all time high. The benchmark index closed at a record for the fifth time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 155.93 points, or 0.9%, to 18,288.63, also scoring its fourth record close this year.