The Dow Leaves the Launchpad

Unlike yesterday, when the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEX: ^DJI) started out strong, only to recede later in the day, the index shot out of the blocks and maintained that momentum right up to the closing bell. Venerable banking giant JPMorgan Chase reversed yesterday's performance, whipping its phaeton into overdrive to claim today's top spot, while industry stalwart Boeing faced some headwinds that pushed its shares to the back of the pack.

Source: Yahoo! Finance.

Today's climb was fueled by strong performances in the banking sector, as well as news that the IMF is about to boost funding to help ease the European debt crisis. We may not be in orbit yet, but I, for one, am enjoying the view.

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At the time thisarticle was published Fool.com graphics/photo/art editor Dari FitzGerald doesn't own shares of any companies mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of JPMorgan Chase. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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