The S&P 500 index hit a record high as Wall Street's main indexes rose in a shortened Black Friday session, lifted by select technology stocks, while retail was in focus as the holiday shopping season kicked off.

U.S. stocks rose, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way.

U.S. stocks rose Monday, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% to pull closer to its all-time high set two weeks ago.

Here's Renaissance Macro's Jeff deGraaf: "Since 1928, returns in the month of December on the SPX have been solid, averaging about 1.30% with a median re

Black Friday unofficially kicks off the holiday shopping season, although retailers have been offering early deals for weeks.