Dow closes above 40,000 for first time

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed above 40,000 for the first time ever on Friday after hitting the milestone the day before. Investors celebrated solid earnings and a slight easing of consumer inflation last month. It marks the third 1,000 point milestone of 2024.The Dow has gained 6% this year and a strong quarter from the nation's largest retailer, Walmart, helped propel gains on Thursday. It closed above 30,000 on Nov. 24, 2020. Investors are also betting inflation may cool enough for t