The stock market marked a historic milestone on Friday, as the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 44,000 for the first time in its 128-year history, while the S&P 500 crossed the 6,000 mark. Stocks continued their rally,

The Dow crossed 44,0000 for the first time ever as stocks were on track for their best week in a year on optimism that President-elect Donald Trump's policies will boost the economy.

Big swings were the backdrop for the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell’s subsequent news conference Thursday afternoon.

The blue-chip Dow closed up 259.65 points, or 0.59%, to a record high 43,988.99, and the broad Standard & Poor's 500 index finished up 22.44 points, or 0.38%, to an all-time high of 5,995.54. The S&P 500 and Dow are both about 4.

Stocks closed at record highs on Friday, with the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq 100 all notching their biggest weekly gain of the year.