Stocks rose and bond yields fell as investors welcomed new signals that the Federal Reserve is ready to cut interest rates for the first time in a decade, the AP reports. Technology companies led the way higher Wednesday, helping the Nasdaq close at a record high. Western Digital rose 5%. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said many Fed officials believe a weakening global economy and rising trade tensions strengthens the case for a rate cut. The S&P 500 rose 13 points, or 0.5%, to 2,993. It briefly traded over 3,000 for the first time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 76 points, or 0.3%, to 26,860. The Nasdaq added 60 points, or 0.7%, to 8,202. The dollar fell and the price of gold rose. (More stock market stories.)