FOLEY WHO?:

Dow Rises to Record High (Tim Paradis, 10/12/06, AP)

The Dow Jones industrial average broke through 11,900 to close at a record high Thursday, boosted by optimism over the health of corporate earnings.

The index's gain marked its fifth record close in two weeks; the Dow also set a record intraday high.

The markets were upbeat Thursday, with investors focusing on positive news from well-known consumer brands such as McDonald's Corp. and on economic data that indicated the economy was holding up even as it slowed. Oil prices, which remain near lows for the year, also boosted the mood on Wall Street.