Toronto stocks rallied to their highest close in more than four years on Friday. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 62.14 points, or 0.65%, at 9,558.50, its highest finish since December 2000.

Volume was 304 million shares.

The index gained 2.1% on the week.

Six of the TSX’s 10 main subgroups ended higher. The technology, energy and materials sectors all advanced more than 1%.

Materials led the way, rising 1.74% as its component gold stocks got a boost from higher bullion prices. Gold hit a nine-day high in New York on weakness in the U.S. dollar and apparent U.S. opposition to the sale of IMF gold reserves. It closed at US$422 an ounce in New York.

The tech group gained 1.38%, helped by Apple Computer Inc’s news of a 2-for-1 stock split.

Meanwhile, the energy sector added 1.07% as crude prices firmed above US$47 a barrel, partly on concerns that OPEC may cut its output in the spring.

The industrials, healthcare, consumer staples and discretionary sectors all ended lower.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index surged ahead 35.28 points, or 1,9%, to 1,887.43.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average moved into positive territory for the year on Friday as investors piled back into the market.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 46.40, or 0.43%, to 10,796.01, after gaining 85.50 on Thursday. It was the Dow’s best showing since Dec. 30.

Broader stock indicators also moved higher. The S&P 500 index rose up 8.29, or 0.69%, at 1,205.30, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index gained 23.56, or 1.15%, to 2,076.66.

For the week, the Dow rose 0.75% and the S&P climbed 0.19%, while the Nasdaq fell 0.48%.