Markets Close: US Today

The S&P 500 notched its fifth consecutive day of gains, closing at a fresh all-time high, while the Dow Industrial Average also hit a record, trading near 54,500.

Money Moves

• S&P 500 and Dow hit fresh highs — The benchmark indexes extended their August rally, with the S&P 500 climbing 0.6% on Wednesday to seal a five-day winning streak.
• VIX spikes with stocks in rare move — The Cboe Volatility Index, Wall Street's 'fear gauge,' rose...