Dow hits 24,000 amid econ cheer

AN OPENING SURGE Thursday sent the Dow Jones industrial average over the 24,000 mark for the first time ever on Thursday.

Technology companies’ recent bounceback helped drive the historic Wall St. day, while banks and health care firms also showed positive signs.

The index closed at 24,272, up 332 points, or 1.4%, with the rally suggesting the economy is expanding beyond an already strong 2017.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index also finished at a record high, gaining 21.5 points, or 0.8%, to close at 2,648 and notch its biggest monthly gain since February.

The robust day comes after another solid quarter in which the economy grew 3.3% between July and September, according to the Commerce Department. That was the largest growth the U.S. has seen since 2014.

The Nasdaq composite added 50 points, or 0.7%, to close at 6,874.

The Dow has steadily climbed since President Trump was elected more than a year ago, breaking 22,000 in August.