The Dow Jones hits 40,000 for the first time. What to know about this major milestone
![Traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York City on May 16, 2024, when the Dow hit 40,000 points for the first time ever.](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/16/gettyimages-2153243103-4d3fb9e8724063843537073978bd1319157713ba.jpg)
Stock markets received a boost from new data showing inflation is easing. Lower inflation has raised hopes about the U.S. economy — but there are still a lot of unknowns.
(Image credit: Spencer Platt)
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