Stocks Rose in Early Trading on Trade Optimism

U.S. stocks rose in early trading on Friday, buoyed by optimism over U.S.-China trade talks, with President Donald Trump reportedly set to meet China’s top trade negotiator in the White House. The Dow Industrial Average lately rose 126.44 points, or 0.49%, to 25,977.07. The S&P 500 was up 11.66 points, or 0.49%, to 2,786.54. The Nasdaq Composite gained 40.62 points, or 0.54%, to 7,500.33.

Crude-oil futures rebounded on Friday, with gains padding the commodity’s weekly advance, as U.S. equities and other assets found traction against the backdrop of upbeat U.S.-China trade talks. April West Texas Intermediate crude was up 56 cents, or 1%, at $57.52 a barrel. April Brent added 44 cents, or 0.7%, at $67.51 a barrel.

President Donald Trump will meet with China’s top trade negotiator Friday afternoon in Washington as the U.S. tries to forge a preliminary deal with its biggest economic rival before tariffs on some Chinese imports more than double next month.