NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - The benchmark S&P 500 stock
index rose within striking distance of a record high on Monday
as further signs of progress toward a resolution of the trade
dispute between the United States and China helped boost shares
in trade-exposed and economically sensitive sectors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 55.68 points,
or 0.21%, to 26,825.88, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 20.51 points,
or 0.69%, to 3,006.71 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added
73.44 points, or 0.91%, to 8,162.99.