Rising expectations that the Fed will pump more money into the financial system through additional purchases of long-term bonds, such as mortgage-backed securities, helped fuel a 1.1% increase in gold prices Wednesday.

WSJ: Dow Jumps 286.84 Points in Broad Rally

More than any other time in history, this bull market owes its strength to the Fed's unblinking determination to pump money into financial markets until the economic recovery becomes self-sustaining.

WSJ: Dow Records Usually Spur More Buying