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NEW YORK (AP) — After coming close all week, the stock market reached an all-time high Thursday. The Standard & Poor's 500 index had moved above its previous record many times this week, only to fade in the after- noon. On Thursday, it finally closed above the milestone, powered by strong earnings from a number of U.S. companies including the drugmaker Mylan and several retail- ers. The stock market has staged an impressive turn- around in February. It slumped at the start of the year on concerns about the prospects for growth in China and the U.S. This month, buyers came back to the market thanks to growth in corporate earn- ings and optimism that the Federal Reserve will keep supporting the economy. ''In the last few days we've flirted with it, and now we've got the new high,'' said Ryan Detrick, a senior technical strate- gist at Schaeffer's Invest- ment Research. The timing of the record, just before the start of spring, could help the market extend its gains, Detrick said. March has been the third- strongest month over the last 30 years for the S&P 500, with an average gain of 1.4 percent, according to the Stock Traders' Almanac. ''It bodes well for equi- ties for the next couple of months, at least,'' said Detrick. The S&P 500 rose 9.13 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,854.29. It last closed at a record high of 1,848.38 on Jan. 15. The Dow Jones indus- trial average rose 74.24, or 0.5, percent, to 16,272.65. The Dow is still about 1.8 percent below its record close of 16,576.66. The Nasdaq composite climbed 26.87 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,318.93. The Nasdaq is also short of its record close of 5,048.62 set in March 2000. On Thursday, generic drugmaker Mylan led the S&P 500 index higher after reporting an 11 per- cent increase in fourth- quarter earnings, beating analysts' expectations. Mylan's stock climbed $4.85, or 9.4 percent, to $56.27. Investors were encour- aged by better results at a range of retailers. J.C. Penney jumped $1.51, or 25 percent, to $7.47 after the department store chain swung to a profit in the fourth quarter after posting a big loss in the same period a year ear- lier. Penney also reported its first quarterly gain in a key revenue figure in more than two years. Kohl's rose $1.30, 2.4 percent, to $55.74 after the department store operator reported earnings that topped analysts' estimates. Revenue fell but met Wall Street's expectations. 8A Daily News – Friday, February 28, 2014 607 Main Street, Red Bluff 530-527-0772 As of Thursday, February 20 th NOW OPEN every Thurs., Fri. & Sat. for Dinner 5pm to 8pm Come Join Us Saturday March 1 st Doors open at 6 Veteran's Hall • Red Bluff, CA Tickets: $35 per person Email Cheryl for more information cnatah@hotmail.com Like us on FaceBook! Red Bluff Sunrise Sunrise Rotary's Surf & Turf Tri-Tip & All You Can Eat Crab AUCTION Dinner 530 566 1966 Ask about cushy country boarding Free 10 minute phone chat. You decide to pay. Dog Behavior help is available now by phone! www.brainydog.com help@brainydog.com $35 for 45 minutes. Your Opportunity To Meet Elected Officials & Candidates Red Bluff Community Center, 1500 S. Jackson Street Saturday, March 1, 2014 5:00 pm, Meet & Greet.....6:00 pm Dinner & Program $30.00 person Ticket Info: Sue Gallagher 530-384-2945 John Elshere 530-529-1238 tehamacountydemocrats@gmail.com Paid Political Advertisement California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, Keynote Speaker Tehama County Democrats "Support American Workers" Annual fundraiser Buffet dinner and Dessert Opportunity Drawings & Auction After several near misses, stocks reach a record Wall Street