New York, March 12 (QNA) - US stocks closed sharply higher Friday as oil prices rose and investors took a more positive view of Thursday's European Central Bank announcements on stimulus.

 The major US averages rallied more than 1 percent to swing into positive territory for the week, their fourth-straight week of gains since November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 218.18 points, or 1.3%, to 17213.31. 

    The S&P 500 added 32.62 points, or 1.6%, to 2022.19, the highest close since December 31 for both indexes. The Nasdaq Composite gained 86.31, or 1.9%, to 4748.47. 

    Shares in Europe also rallied a day after the European Central Bank unveiled a new batch of stimulus measures. The Stoxx Europe 600 rose 2.6%. Meanwhile, stocks in Asia gained slightly Friday. Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average gained 0.5%, and China’s Shanghai Composite Index ended 0.2% higher.