US stocks push to new record highs

US stocks pushed to new record highs Tuesday, bolstered by solid US manufacturing orders and strong results from US automakers. At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 14,659.02, up 86.17 (0.59 percent) and at a new all-time record close. The broad-based S&P 500 also reached a new record, gaining 7.84 (0.50 percent) to 1,570.01. The tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index added 15.69 (0.48 percent) at 3,254.86. Tuesday's gains followed a US Department of Commerce report that showed new orders for manufactured goods rose 3.0 percent in February, topping expectations of a 2.6 percent increase. Also Tuesday, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler reported their best US monthly sales performances since 2007. GM cited "a strengthening economy and new products" as factors behind the result.