The stock market closed higher Thursday in a display of bullish fervor that had not been seen in weeks. The Nasdaq led with a 1.4% gain. The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones industrial average each climbed 1.1%. All closed near session highs. Volume fell on the NYSE but was higher on the Nasdaq, according to early figures. Advancing stocks led losers by a comfortable 3-1 ratio on the NYSE and by 9-to-4 on the Nasdaq.