(MONEY Magazine) – Though the Dow Jones industrial average was little changed in the first two weeks of November, it vaulted to a record high of 3710.77 on Nov. 16. One reason: Investors realized that Congress would pass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which promises to boost the economies of the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

CHART: NOT AVAILABLE CREDIT: Sources: Dow Jones, Lipper Analytical Services, Standard & Poor's, Frank Russell Co. CAPTION: NO CAPTION