Stocks rose to more record highs yesterday after a robust employment report suggested that Asia's financial woes have not yet inflicted any major damage on the US Economy.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 72.24 points - or 0.89 per cent - to 8,189.49, about 70 points shy of a record. A midday gain of 95 points had put the Dow above 8,200 for the first time since it closed at all-time high of 8,259.31, on August 6th 1997.

Broader stock indexes also resumed their rally, with the Standard and Poor's 500 and the New York Stock Exchange composite closing at record highs.