NEW YORK -- U.S. stocks rallied to 13-month highs on Monday, boosted by evidence of economic growth in the U.S. and Japan, while Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke again assured that interest rates would stay low for the foreseeable future. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 139.49 points, or 1.3%, to end at 10,406.96, its highest close since Oct.2, 2008, according to FactSet Research. The S&P 500 index gained 15.82 points, or 1.5%, to 1,109.30, also marking its first close above the key 1,100 level since October of last year. The Nasdaq Composite rose 29.97 points, or 1.4%, to 2,197.85, its highest close since Sept.19, 2008.

Copyright © 2009 MarketWatch, Inc.