Stocks Opened Slightly Higher amid Rising Coronavirus Cases

U.S. stocks opened slightly higher on Wednesday as investors weighed the economic impacts of the ongoing rise in coronavirus cases globally. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately rose 104.82 points, or 0.40%, to 25,995.00. The S&P 500 added 16.34 points, or 0.52%, to 3,161.66. The Nasdaq Composite gained 84.83 points, or 0.82%, to 10,428.72.

Oil futures were headed slightly higher early Wednesday, despite a report on U.S. inventories that showed an unexpected rise in crude stockpiles. West Texas Intermediate crude for August traded 11 cents, or 0.3%, higher at $40.73 a barrel. Brent oil for September added 18 cents, or 0.4%, at $43.26 a barrel.