Money / Dow Jones Dow Rallies, Closes Up 156 on Wave of Optimism Dow closes at highest level since October 2008 By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff Posted Jan 4, 2010 3:16 PM CST Copied Traders watch market activity at the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Stocks rallied today off an upswing in manufacturing activity for December and Fed comments that reaffirmed the central bank's continued commitment to low interest rates, the Wall Street Journal reports. The Dow jumped 155.91 points to close at 10,583.96. The Nasdaq added 39.27, closing at 2,308.42. The S&P 500 gained 17.89, settling at 1,132.99. (More Dow Jones stories.) Report an error