NEW YORK - Stocks rallied Thursday, sending the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (SPX) above its record closing level.
The euro rebounded from a four-month low as the reopening of banks in Cyprus eased concern about Europe's debt crisis.
The baht strengthened for a second day, gaining 0.3 per cent to 29.23 per dollar.
Government bonds rose on speculation a brightening outlook for the economy will spur global demand for the nation's assets.
The S&P 500 jumped as much as 0.3 per cent to 1,567.78 as of 11 a.m. in New York, eclipsing its previous all-time high of 1,565.15 set in October 2007.
The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 0.8 per cent, while the euro appreciated 0.4 per cent to $1.2828.
The S&P 500's advance above its record close marks the completion of the recovery from a bear market that wiped out more than $10 trillion of value from the world's largest stock market.
Gains Thursday came as Cyprus's banks reopened with new rules curbing access to cash after being closed since March 16.
Shares of American companies are rallying as their profits expand for a third straight year and the Federal Reserve commits to continuing its unprecedented monetary stimulus.