At just over 3,300, the transportation index is 11 percent below its record high of 3,686 nearly a year ago.

"Oil prices have dropped, and the transportation index has been going great guns," she says.

The airlines were generally strong, and their performance pushed the Dow's transportation index 8.82 points higher, to a record 1,082.85.

But the transportation index closed up 4.74, at 1,212.59.

Also pushing up the transportation index last month was a 3.4 percent rise in airline fares, the department reported.

The Dow's transportation index fell by 15.31 points, to 1,466.93.

The transportation index surpassed its high for 1990 as it rose to 1,207.85.

The Dow's transportation index pulled back from its record high, easing 4.28, to 960.36.

The transportation index had its best day since July.

In the transportation index, only two component stocks rose that amount.