Negotiators who bargained into the early hours were close to reaching a contract agreement to end a nationwide strike by 73,000 US car workers, two people who were briefed on the talks said today.

US stocks rose sharply today, led by strong gains among the blue chips and mortgage lender Countrywide Financial Corp., which said it had lined up added financing.

Ford Motor Company plans to expand buyout and early retirement offers to the company’s entire US hourly work force of 75,000 as part of a broader restructuring plan aimed at restoring the troubled No.2 American vehicle manufacturer to profitability.