The Dow Jones industrials soared into record territory yesterday after investors brushed off signs of inflationary pressure and a profit warning from Lucent and sent stocks sharply higher. The Nasdaq composite recorded its best day in history.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 269.30 to close at 11,522.56, topping its December 31st closing record of 11,497.12. The technology-laden Nasdaq composite index soared 155.48 to 3,882.61 after plunging 400 points, or nearly 10 per cent, over the previous three sessions. Other broad-market indicators also posted sizeable gains. According to preliminary calculations, the Standard and Poor's 500 rose 38.02 to 1,441.47.