Stocks: Another day, another record?

On Tuesday, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed more than 125 points to close at 14,253.77, topping the previous record set in October 2007.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Whether the momentum will hold is anybody's guess. But investors looking for guidance about the index's future path will have several economic reports to consider Wednesday.

At 8:15 a.m. ET, payroll company ADP will release its monthly estimate on private-sector employment growth, a precursor to Friday's all-important monthly jobs report.

At 2 p.m., the Federal Reserve will release its Beige Book report on economic conditions.

In corporate news, Staples (SPLS, Fortune 500) will report fourth quarter results before the bell. U.S. stock futures were higher ahead of the market open.

Fear & Greed Index

The Dow Jones industrial average reached a record high on Tuesday, climbing more than 125 points to close at 14,253.77, topping the prior record set in October 2007.

Shares of gunmaker Smith & Wesson (SWHC) fell in after-hours trading, despite reporting strong third quarter earnings.

JC Penney's (JCP, Fortune 500) shares were down slightly after hours, after falling more than 10% on news that one of its biggest shareholders dumped 40% of its stake. The struggling retailer is in the third week of a court battle with Macy's (M, Fortune 500), which claims that Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia violated a previous agreement by entering into a new partnership with JCPenney.

European markets were firmer in morning trading, led by Germany's DAX index. Asian markets ended higher. The Shanghai Composite added 0.9%, the Hang Seng increased 1.0% and Japan's Nikkei rose 2.1%.