The Dow industrials soared 268 points to a new high yesterday, with its biggest two-day gain ever and moving within 300 points of 10,000. Stocks surged as a slight rise in unemployment and wages eased investor concerns that the fast-growing economy would spur inflation and higher interest rates. The Dow rose 268.68 points - or by 2.8 per cent - to 9,736.08, topping its January 8th record close of 9,643.32. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by an 11-to-5 margin on the New York Stock Exchange, with 2,080 up, 933 down and 556 unchanged. NYSE volume totalled 828.07 million shares. The NYSE composite index rose 12.39 at 603.14, and the American Stock Exchange composite index rose 8.89 at 707.41.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 3.98 at 398.