Stocks Opened Higher as U.S.-China Talks Showed Progress

U.S. stocks opened higher on Friday, as investors focused on continued progress in trade negotiations between China and U.S. The Dow Industrial Average lately rose 215.91 points, or 0.85%, to 25,655.30. The S&P 500 advanced 19.26 points, or 0.70%, to 2,764.99. The Nasdaq Composite gained 34.90 points, or 0.47%, to 7,461.85.

Chinese and U.S. trade negotiators wrapped up their latest round of talks Friday, citing measured progress but ongoing work toward a memorandum of understanding that would serve as the framework for a deal that President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could later finalize at a summit. The White House, in a statement, said negotiators on both sides have agreed to continue the talks ahead of the March 1 deadline that will bring an increase in U.S. tariffs on certain imported Chinese goods.