NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- U.S. stocks ended sharply higher on Thursday, as more upbeat earnings and housing data helped the broad market reach new highs for the year and led the Dow Jones Industrial Average to a close above 9,000 for the first time since January. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +1.18% gained 188 points, or 2%, to end at 9,069, marking its first close above 9,000 since Jan.6. The blue-chip average's gains were powered by a 7% gain in shares of 3M Co. MMM, +0.00% , after the firm lifted its full-year forecasts. The S&P 500 index SPX, +0.86% rose 22 points, or 2.3%, to 976, its highest close since Nov.4. The Nasdaq Composite COMP, +0.86% jumped 47 points, or 2.5%, to 1,973, marking its 12th straight session of gains - its longest winning streak since early 1992.