Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 Notch Record Closes

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) reversed course around midday to settle at yet another all-time closing peak, as a strong round of domestic economic data eased concerns over a slowdown in growth overseas. It was a similar set-up for the broader S&P 500 Index (SPX), which tacked on 0.2% to close at its loftiest perch on record. However, it was the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) that outperformed its peers -- with help from massive post-earnings pops for components Kirkland's, Inc. (NASDAQ:KIRK) and Cyberonics, Inc. (NASDAQ:CYBX) -- finishing the session up 0.6%.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

• It was another strong day for retailers, with Best Buy Co Inc (NYSE:BBY) and Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYSE:WSM) rallying in the wake of their quarterly earnings reports.
• Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) jumped on a big fundamental win, while sector peer Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) slumped on the news.
• Are options underpricing the chances for more upside? Schaeffer's contributor Adam Warner investigates.
• Plus ... The Street gets bombarded with economic data, Alibaba's poised to break records, and Tesla bounces back.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 17,719.00) spent the first half of the session wallowing below breakeven, but turned higher around midday to settle with a 33.3-point, or 0.2%, gain -- and at its highest close to date. Eighteen of the DJI's 30 components gained ground, led by Intel Corporation's (NASDAQ:INTC) 4.7% advance. Walt Disney Co (NYSE:DIS) paced the 11 decliners with its 1% drop, while Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) finished flat.

In similar fashion, the S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,052.75) started the day in the red, but by session's end, was up 4 points, or 0.2%, to finish at an all-time closing peak. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,701.87), meanwhile, tacked on 26.2 points, or 0.6% -- and moved back into the black on a week-to-date basis.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 13.58) shed 0.4 point, or 2.7%, but maintained its perch atop its 10-day moving average.

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. A slew of economic reports hit the Street today, including an unchanged consumer price index, a 14-year low in continuing jobless claims, and an unexpected rise in existing home sales. Additionally, the Philadelphia Fed said business activity in the region rose at its fastest pace in nearly 21 years -- and more than doubled the consensus estimate -- although a number of economists believe there's something amiss with the results. (USA Today; CNBC; Reuters)
2. Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (NYSE:BABA) said it has received no less than $57 billion in orders for its inaugural bond offering -- seven times what it was anticipating -- putting it on pace to beat the record $6.5 billion offering held by Bank of China last month. (Bloomberg)
3. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) bounced back from Wednesday's analyst-induced slide, but option traders don't think this upside will continue.
4. A legal victory sent shares of video game maker Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) soaring.
5. One SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR) option trader got crafty with her long call spread.

For a look at today's options movers and commodities activity, head to page 2.

Commodities:

Crude oil snapped its three-session losing streak amid today's round of upbeat economic data. By session's end, crude for December delivery was up $1, or 1.3%, at $75.58 per barrel.

Gold fell for a second consecutive session, as today's raft of domestic data points heightened concern over the timeline of the Federal Reserve's potential interest-rate hike. At the close, December-dated gold was down $3, or 0.3%, to settle at $1,190.90 per ounce.