Stocks closed near an all-time high Thursday as technology, materials and energy companies notched big gains. Energy stocks rose as the price of oil rebounded. Traders were also encouraged by an acquisition in the online travel business and news of a cease-fire deal in Ukraine. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index ended just two points shy of its all-time high reached Dec. 29.
On Thursday:
The Dow Jones industrial average rose 110.24 points, or 0.6 percent, to 17,972.38.
The S&P 500 index climbed 19.95 points, or 1 percent, to 2,088.48.
The Nasdaq composite rose 56.43 points, or 1.2 percent, to 4,857.61.
For the week:
The Dow Jones industrial average is up 148.09 points, or 0.8 percent.
The S&P 500 index is up 33.01 points, or 1.6 percent.
The Nasdaq composite is up 113.21 points, or 2.4 percent.
For the year:
The Dow is up 149.31 points, or 0.8 percent.
The S&P 500 index is up 29.58 points, or 1.4 percent.
The Nasdaq is up 121.56 points, or 2.6 percent.
