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NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Dow industrials closed at the highest level in nearly five years on Tuesday in a lightly traded session before key decisions in Germany and the United States that could give markets a further boost.

Energy, industrial and financial firms led the advance. Contributing to gains by the Dow industrials, shares of International Business Machines Corp (IBM.N) rose 1.15 percent to $203.27. Heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar (CAT.N) added 1.72 percent to $88.60.

Equities have rallied in recent weeks on hopes for monetary stimulus by central banks. The Federal Reserve could announce Thursday additional steps to support low interest rates. On Wednesday, Germany's highest court will decide on the legality of the euro zone's new bailout fund. Economists forecast a 60 percent chance the U.S. central bank will announce another round of quantitative easing at the end of its two-day meeting. Disappointing U.S. August jobs data released last Friday bolstered that view.

The Dow Jones industrial average (^DJI) ended up 69.07 points, or 0.52 percent, to 13,323.36. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (^GSPC) closed up 4.48 points, or 0.31 percent, to 1,433.56. The Nasdaq Composite Index (^IXIC) gained 0.50 point, or 0.02 percent, to 3,104.53.

0937 GMT [Dow Jones] Malaysia shares end down 0.4% at 1614.24, pressured by profit-taking in construction and financial stocks. "I am not expecting any significant breakouts in the KLCI this week, as investors wouldn't want to be caught with major investments ahead of the long weekend," says a local dealer. The benchmark index is tipped to trade in a 1601-1630 band this week.