Stocks closed at record highs on Wednesday as investors bet on a potential rate cut from the Federal Reserve later this month after the release of weaker-than-expected economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 179.32 points to end the day at 26,966, notching intraday and closing all-time highs. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.7% to 8,170.23. The S&P 500 also rose 0.7% to 2,995.82 as the real estate and consumer sectors powered the broad index to record levels. Tech also boosted the index, rising 0.7% to a record high. The S&P 500 closed just 0.1% below 3,000. “The first time we get there you’ll probably ... (full story)