Stocks Opened Higher ahead of China-U.S. Tariff Talks

U.S. stocks opened solidly higher on Wednesday as China and the U.S. attempted to ease simmering tensions, a day before high-level trade takes are scheduled to commence. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately rose 181.52 points, or 0.69%, to 26,345.56. The S&P 500 gained 22.90 points, or 0.79%, to 2,915.96. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 72.00 points, or 0.92%, to 7,895.78.

Oil futures headed lower Tuesday as traders kept tabs on developments ahead of U.S.-China trade talks due later this week. West Texas Intermediate crude for November delivery lost 12 cents, or 0.2%, to end at $52.63 a barrel. December Brent crude settled 11 cents lower, down 0.2%, at $58.24 a barrel.

Investors will also be paying close attention to the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) release of its September meeting minutes at 2 p.m. ET. The minutes will offer a glimpse into the deliberation process among policymakers in mid-September that led to the second rate cut this year and will also offer insight into the FOMC’s future monetary policy path.