The Dow industrials and broader Standard & Poor's 500 index set records in a fifth consecutive day of gains as investors cheered data showing the U.S. economy expanded in the third quarter by the most in 11 years. The U.S. government sharply revised upward its estimate of third-quarter growth to a 5 percent annual rate from the previously reported 3.9 percent, citing higher consumer and business spending. It was the strongest growth since the summer of 2003. The U.S. dollar rose versus the currencies of major U.S. trading partners. Benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for February delivery rose $1.86, or 3.4 percent, to $57.12 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold futures fell $1.80, or 0.2 percent, to $1,178 an ounce. Posting its 51st record-high close of the year, the benchmark S&P 500 rose 3.63, or 0.2 percent, to 2,082.17, with energy the best performing and healthcare the only negative performer among its 10 main sectors. Following four consecutive sessions of gains, the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index fell 16, or 0.3 percent, to 4,765.42, led lower by biotechnology firms. Gilead shares fell another 3.4 percent one day after plunging 14 percent.
