Callie Bost

More than half posted gains that exceeded benchmark indexes in 2015 through March 6, for their best start to a year since 2012. But the S&P 500, up 1.1% this year through Monday, is poised for its worst first quarter since 2009.

U.S. stocks rose, sending the Dow Jones Industrial Average toward a record close, and Treasuries fell as a report showed U.S. companies added to payrolls last month. The dollar strengthened with copper and gold.

Rising Treasury yields and the biggest equity market rally in 16 years are leading one measure of stock valuations to the most bearish level since 2011.