Stocks Opened Higher amid Stimulus Talks

U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday, with stimulus talks in Washington still at the center of investors’ attention. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately rose 120.97 points, or 0.40%, to 30,275.51. The S&P 500 was up 16.86 points, or 0.46%, to 3,718.03. The Nasdaq Composite gained 73.04 points, or 0.58%, to 12,729.

Oil futures rose Thursday, lifted by signs of progress toward another round of economic relief by U.S. lawmakers a day after data showed a fall in crude inventories. West Texas Intermediate crude for January delivery rose 6 cents, or 0.1%, at $47.89 a barrel.
February Brent crude was up 7 cents, or 0.1%, at $51.15 a barrel.

Negotiators including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy convened again on Wednesday to discuss the package, which is expected to total around $900 billion and include direct checks to Americans and enhanced federal unemployment benefits.