Dow ends above 13,000 for first time since Lehmans crisis

The Dow Jones has closed above the 13,000 mark for the first time since the Lehman Brothers collapse prompted the market crash of 2008.

The index has nudged above the 13,000 level a few times during trading in the past few weeks, most recently on Monday, but it failed to hold on to the gains and closed at 12,982.95. Last night it finished the session at 13,005 points. It had gained 0.12% or 23.61 points throughout the day as investor optimism continues to improve. The Dow has rallied 6% since the start of the year and had its best January since 1997. The last time the Dow closed above 13,000 was 19 May 2008, four months before the financial crisis which has plagued the markets since. Consumer confidence data fro...