Jump in crude oil prices helps lift stock market

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are extending recent gains at the start of a busy week of earnings, nudging the Dow Jones industrial average closer to 10,000.

The Dow rose as much as 67 points Monday to hit a new 2009 high of 9,931. That's just 69 points shy of 10,000, a level not seen in a year.

A weaker dollar is driving oil and other commodities higher, giving energy stocks a lift.

Trading is light as much of the country observes the Columbus Day holiday. A flurry of earnings reports will occupy the market's attention the rest of the week.

At midday, the Dow is up 44 at 9,909. The Standard & Poor's 500 index is up 6 at 1,078 and the Nasdaq composite index is up 11 at 2,150.