U.S. stocks were higher midday Friday, pushing further into record territory, after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in two days of congressional testimony this week bolstered investor expectations for an interest-rate cut at the end of the month.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 133 points, or 0.5%, to 27,222, while the S&P 500 gained 6 points, or 0.2%, to 3,006. The Nasdaq Composite index was 29 points higher at 8,225, a gain of 0.4%.

The Dow hit a new intraday high of 27,248.71, while the S&P set a new intraday record of 3,006.90.

The Dow on Thursday rose 227.88 points, or 0.8%, to 27,088.08, marking its first close above 27,000. The S&P 500  also pushed back into record territory, advancing 6.84 points, or 0.2%, to end at 2,999.91. The Nasdaq Composite, which scored a record close on Wednesday, pulled back, ending 6.49 points lower Thursday at 8,196.04, a loss of 0.1%.

Source Marketwatch