Dow closes at record on stimulus hopes

The possibility of new economic stimulus measures in Japan boosted the markets to a higher close with the Dow rising 40 points to close at a record 17,687. Nasdaq gained 31 points to 4,702.

On the upside

Shares of Amarin (Nasdaq: AMRN) extended its gains.

Actavis (NYSE: ACT) and Allergan (NYSE: AGN) stock both continued climbing.

Gold prices rallied to lift shares of Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC).

On the downside

Profit taking weighed down share of Sunesis Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: SNSS).

Investors locked in profits on Viggle (Nasdaq: VGGL).

The Food and Drug Administration placed a partial hold on CytRx's (Nasdaq: CYTR) clinical trials for aldoxorubicin.

In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on both the NYSE and on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 gained 10 points to 2051. Bitcoin fell $10 to $374.