Dow Jones industrial average closes in on milestone

The Dow Jones industrial average is making another run at closing above 13,000, a milestone that has not been reached since the start of the financial crisis four years ago.

America’s most-watched stock indicator popped above and below the level six times in the first few hours of trading Friday. The blue-chip index was most recently up 26.37 points, or 0.2%, at 13,010.08.

The Dow is now up nearly 6.5% so far this year and has gained more than 1,000 points along the way. Broader stock indexes have also been on a blistering pace. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 8.8% for the year while the tech-heavy Nasdaq has shot up 14%.

Friday’s gains were driven by another round of positive economic data. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Survey index edged up in February, bringing the index to its highest level since February of last year.

Investors sent the S&P 500 index up 4.63 points, or 0.34%, to 1,368.15, and the Nasdaq up 10.75 points, or 0.36%, to 2,967.76.

Helping to drive major indexes is a jump in major oil producers, including Chevron and Exxon-Mobil. Crude hit a nine-month high above $108 a barrel as tensions mounted over Iran’s nuclear program.