US stocks hit a nine-month high on Friday, propelled by solid economic data and growing investor optimism that a deal on the US debt ceiling will land in the coming days. The S&P 500 closed 1.3 per cent higher, its highest level since mid-August, in a relatively broad rally in which investors scooped up stocks more sensitive to economic growth prospects and spurning traditionally defensive sectors such as utilities, healthcare and consumer staples. The benchmark index added 0.3 per cent in the week, notching its second straight week of gains.