NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks jumped Wednesday, sending the industrials past 13,200 for the first time after a strong reading on factory orders stoked investor optimism about the economy. The Dow gained more than 75 points and secured its second straight record close. The said orders to American factories rose 3.

1 percent in March - the largest increase in a year - amid strong demand for commercial aircraft and a sharp rise in an indicator of how much companies are investing in their business. The increase easily outpaced the 2 percent rise analysts had been expecting. As investors begin to look toward Friday's Labor Department reports on March job creation and unemployment, they are also keeping watch over corporate profits as they try to determine how quickly the economy might be slowing and whether the stronger-than-expected earnings might continue to give stocks a lift.

"The stronger-than-anticipated earnings releases have definitely been the catalysts for (stock) prices to move higher, and the merger deals continue to reduce shares in the market and put fresh cash back in investors' hands," said , chief investment officer at Kanaly Trust Co. The Dow rose 75.74, or 0.

58 percent, to 13,211.88. The blue chip index hit a fresh trading high of 13,256.

33 after reaching 13,184.14 Tuesday. The Dow has set 16 record closes this year and 39 since the beginning of October; the latest closing high came Tuesday.

Broader stock indicators also rose Wednesday. The Standard Poor's 500 index advanced 9.62, or 0.

65 percent, to 1,495.92. has been eyeing the index, waiting for it to move back above 1,500; the S P 500 hasn't closed above that level since September 2000.