The stock market just hit an all-time high. Here's what a record actually means.

Originally reported as: “Benchmark index closes at record peak as risk appetite broadens”

A major stock index closed at its highest level ever, a milestone that tends to grab headlines and stir up strong feelings. A record high simply means the index is worth more than at any point in its history, which is actually the normal long-term direction for markets over many years. It doesn't mean stocks are guaranteed to keep rising, nor that they are automatically overpriced. For long-term investors, a new high is less a signal to act and more a reminder of how markets tend to grow over time.