U.S. stocks close at highest level in 2015

U.S. stocks rallied on Thursday, sending the S&P 500 to its highest close this year and within shouting distance of the record close reached on Dec 29.

The S&P 500 SPX, +0.96%  added 19.95 points, or 1%, to 2,088.48, with eight of its 10 sectors finishing higher. Among them, materials, technology and energy sectors stocks led the gains, while utilities and telecoms were the only laggards.