The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to close at more than 37,000 points for the first time as investors applauded a statement from the Federal Reserve on Wednesday that it could cut its benchmark interest rate next year . The blue-chip index jumped 512 points, or 1.4%, to end the day at 37,090, topping its prior peak of 36,799 in early 2023. The broader S&P 500 rose 1.4% and is within 1.9% of its own record. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite added 1.4%. Fed officials also left their short-term rate unchanged for a third straight meeting amid signs that their aggressive push to subdue inflation is working. With the price spikes…
