Stocks Opened Higher after Presidents Day

U.S. stocks opened higher on Tuesday as investors watched progress toward President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package and data showing falling COVID-19 cases. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately rose 96.48 points, or 0.31%, to 31,554.88. The S&P 500 was up 9.21 points, or 0.23%, to 3,944.04. The Nasdaq Composite gained 42.50 points, or 0.30%, to 14,137.97.

Oil prices touched more-than-one-year highs. March West Texas Intermediate crude was up 19 cents, or 0.3%, at $59.66 a barrel, after topping $60 a barrel for the first time since January 2020 on Monday. Brent crude prices erased an early gain to fall 26 cents, or 0.4%, to $63.04 a barrel, after also hitting a 13-month high.