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Nasdaq closes above 3,000 as stock rally continues

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First came Dow 13,000. Now comes Nasdaq 3,000.

Solid economic news and no unpleasant surprises from the Federal Reserve’s policymaking meeting propelled a vibrant stock-market rally that also pushed the Dow Jones industrial average up 218 points.

The Nasdaq jumped 56.22 points, or 1.9%, to 3,039.88, its highest close in more than 11 years. The index has surged 16.7% this year amid investor excitement over the technology sector, spurred in part by a string of initial public offerings of social-media companies that is expected to hit its zenith later this year with the debut of Facebook Inc.

Of course, the Nasdaq has seen 3,000 before – during the dot-com bubble in which the index eventually topped 5,000 before plummeting in the bust that took hold in early 2000 and stretched for nearly three years.

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Market watchers say the tech sector is on much firmer ground now – with companies actually generating revenue and profits and stock prices at far more reasonable valuations.

The Dow rose 217.97 points, or 1.7%, to 13,177.68 – its best level since mid-2008.

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