Stocks Close At Record Highs In Quiet Postholiday Trade

U.S. stocks finished higher on Friday, with the three main indexes closing at record highs, as defensive stocks led the market higher in quiet postholiday trade. The S&P 500 gained 8.53 points, or 0.4%, to 2,213.30, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 68.69 points, or 0.4%, to 19,152,14 as shares of Cisco Systems Inc. and Coca-Cola Company led the blue-chip gauge higher. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 18.24 points, or 0.3%, to 5,398.92. The Russell 2000 , the small-cap benchmark, also closed at a record high and notched its 15th straight session of gains -- its longest winning streak since February 1996. The Russell gained 3.24 points, or 0.2%, to 1,345.32.