The stock market indices had a very strong session today, closing at the session highs on the Nasdaq 100 and not too far off them on the blue chip indices, the Dow and S&P 500.

The day started out with a big gap up. The indices then backed off, only to come on again strongly, reaching the session highs just before noon. They consolidated for a couple hours and backed off. When the S&P 500 went to new afternoon lows and the Nasdaq 100 failed to confirm, the indices turned it around in the last 40 minutes or so and popped into the close.

Net on the day, the Dow was up 83.56 at 11,755.44, the S&P 500 up 11.48 at 1285.97, and the Nasdaq 100 up 16.15 at 2304.88, the first close over 2300 in a couple years.

Advance-declines were just under 3 to 1 positive on the New York Stock Exchange, and about 2 1/2 to 1 positive on Nasdaq. Up/down volume was very strong today at about 5 to 1 positive on New York on total volume of about 950 million. Nasdaq traded 2.85 billion shares and had a 14 to 4 positive ratio.

TheTechTrader.com board had an excellent day today with many point-plus gainers. Leading the way was Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU), up 5.61 to 72.85 on strong earnings.

Other point-plus gainers included Apple Inc. (AAPL) up 2.78 to 344.42, Acacia Research Corporation (ACTG) 1.40 to 26.76, China MediaExpress Holdings, Inc. (CCME) 1.22 to 18.45, and Coinstar Inc. (CSTR) 1.65 to 57.23. IDT Corporation (IDT) had an excellent snapback session today, up 2.27 to 26.86 on strong volume. Goldman Sachs (GS) rose 2.31 to 171.67, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (JAZZ) exploded for 2.00 to 23.10.

In addition, OmniVision Technologies Inc. (OVTI) jumped 1.06 to 28.99, Sierra Wireless Inc. (SWIR) 1.53 to 16.44, and Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. (UCTT) 1.08 to 10.28. IMAX Corporation (IMAX) advanced 1.09 to 27.92, and InterMune Inc. (ITMN) up 1.11 to 36.22.

Other stocks of note included China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources, Inc. (SHZ) up 91 cents to 8.79, and Affymetrix Inc. (AFFX) up 72 cents to 5.41, a strong gain there. IntelliPharmaCeutics International Inc. (IPCI) gained 51 cents to 4.51, and Strategic Diagnostics Inc. (SDIX) 77 cents to 2.63, a large percentage gain there as well.

Further, swing trade pick iGo, Inc. (IGOI) was up 33 cents to 4.94, Flotek Industries Inc. (FTK) 80 cents to 6.07, and Amtech Systems Inc. (ASYS) 86 cents to 29.07.

On the downside, point-plus losers were ultra-short ETF iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX) down 1.51 to 33.43, the Direxion Daily Emrg Mkts Bear 3X Shares (EDZ) 1.26 to 19.50, and Boxer Short Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) bucking the trend, down 3.12 to 217.67.

Stepping back and reviewing the hourly chart patterns, the indices were up early sharply, backed off, and then came on strong in the morning. They consolidated for several hours and then surged into the close, particularly on the Nasdaq 100, closing at the high for the day going away there. But a strong day, nevertheless, actually a breakout day for the indices as the rally rolls on.

Harry Boxer is a technical consultant to many Wall Street hedge funds and large institutional traders, and author of TheTechTrader.com.