Stocks approach record as technology, energy stocks gain; Dow up 110

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks closed Thursday near an all-time high as technology, materials and energy companies notch big gains.<br /> <br /> Cisco jumped 9 percent after reporting better-than-expected earnings. Energy stocks rose as the price of oil rebounded. Traders were also encouraged by an acquisition in the online travel business and news of a cease-fire deal in Ukraine.<br /> <br /> The Dow Jones industrial average rose 110 points, 0.6 percent, to 17,972.<br /> <br /> The Standard & Poor's 500 index gained almost 20 points, or 1 percent, to 2,088, just two points off its record high.<br /> <br /> The Nasdaq composite rose 56 points, or 1.2 percent, to 4,857.<br /> <br /> Orbitz soared 22 percent after rival online travel site Expedia said it would buy the company.<br /> <br /> The price of oil jumped $2.37 to close at $51.21 a barrel in New York.