WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans are climbing further out of the hole they sank into during the Great Recession.

A stock rally at the end of 2011 helped rebuild more of their lost wealth — a trend that carried into 2012. Households responded by borrowing more for the first time since the financial crisis began, even as home values fell further.

Household wealth rose 2.1 percent in the October-December quarter, the most in a year. Still, it would have to rise 13 percent more to regain its pre-recession peak.

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