Another High for the Dow Jones Industrial Average; Gold, Crude Head South

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) got a lift from strong auto sales and construction spending, topping out at an intraday record of 17,897.05 before settling at an all-time closing high. Similarly, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Nasdaq Composite (COMP) rallied, tacking on 0.6% apiece. Conversely, crude and gold resumed their longer-term downtrends, failing to build off of yesterday's positive momentum.

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

• Option traders showed confidence in Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), shrugging off Monday's "flash crash."
• A big pharma deal sent this stock to a 10-year high, and short-term traders rolled the dice on additional upside.
• A move by the Obama administration boosted TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ:TASR), bringing bullish bettors to the table.
• Plus ... Auto sales hit breakneck speeds, RadioShack Corporation's (NYSE:RSH) latest problem, and the Street sours on this pair of software firms.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI - 17,879.55) spent the entire day in the green, hitting a record intraday high of 17,897.05, and notching its loftiest finish ever, up 102.8 points, or 0.6%. Twenty-one of the Dow's 30 components closed north of the flatline, paced by a 2.1% gain at Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX). By contrast, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) led the nine blue-chip decliners, retreating 2.2%.

The S&P 500 Index (SPX - 2,066.55) added 13.1 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 4,755.81) tacked on 28.5 points, or 0.6%.

The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX - 12.85) swooned as equities rallied. By the close, the market's "fear gauge" had lost 1.4 points, or 10.1%.

5 Items on Our Radar Today:

1. U.S. auto sales maintained their torrid pace last month, achieving their fastest clip since 2003 and topping the Street's consensus estimate. In fact, each of the top six car manufacturers sold more vehicles than analysts had projected, helped by discounts and lower fuel prices. (Reuters)
2. Shares of RSH were halted in early morning trading, after the company announced a dispute with Salus Capital Partners. The financial firm claims the electronics retailer breached the terms of a $250 million loan agreement. However, RSH CEO Joe Magnacca sharply denied the allegations, saying Salus and other lenders "appear to be trying to manufacture a problem during the critical holiday shopping season in an effort to get out of a loan." (Bloomberg Businessweek)
3. A closer look at two software firms that got hit with bearish brokerage notes this morning.
4. This credit card giant attracted a gaggle of call buyers, on the heels of a shareholder-friendly announcement.
5. This cloud "trailblazer" received a bullish initiation at J.P. Morgan Securities, reflecting Wall Street's generally rosy take on the shares.

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

Commodities:

Crude resumed it downtrend, as production -- driven by U.S. shale -- continues to outpace demand. At day's end, liquid gold for January delivery was off $2.12, or 3.1%, to settle at $66.88 per barrel.

February-dated gold pulled back from Monday's one-month high, after the dollar hit a new multi-year peak. By the close, the malleable metal was down $18.70, or 1.5%, at $1,199.40 per ounce.