The Dow Jones industrial average is in record territory this morning as retailers reported better-than-expected June sales figures and Rio Tinto plc offered $38.1 billion for aluminum producer Alcan Inc., the Associated Press reported.

At 11:45 this morning, the Dow was up 1.38 percent to 13,765.16. The Dow’s record close is 13,676.32, set June 4.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, one of the 30 companies that make up the Dow, boosted stocks with its report that same-store sales rose 2.4 percent in June. Other retailers surpassed analysts’ expectations, including J.C. Penney Co. Inc., which reported a same-store sales increase of 3.9 percent, and American Eagle Outfitters Inc., which saw an 8 percent jump in its sales.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index reached 1,535.89 this morning, up 1.13 percent and nearing its record close of 1,539.18, reached June 4. The Nasdaq composite index was up 1.07 percent this morning to 2,680.04.