US stocks open higher after best week of 2024

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Major US stock indices opened Monday with gains, continuing momentum after their best weekly performance of the year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 86 points, or 0.21%, to 40,746 as of 9:55 a.m. EDT (1355GMT), following a 2.9% increase last week.

The S&P 500 added seven points, or 0.14%, reaching 5,562, after posting a 3.9% gain last week.

The Nasdaq Composite increased nearly 25 points, or 0.14%, to 17,657, building on last week's 5.2% surge.

The VIX volatility index, often referred to as the "fear index," climbed 2.8% to 15.21. Meanwhile, the 10-year US Treasury yield decreased by 0.15% to 3.889%.

The US dollar index declined 0.24% to 102.21, while the euro rose 0.13% against the dollar, trading at $1.1042.

In the commodities market, precious metals showed mixed results. Gold fell 0.4% to $2,496 per ounce, while silver gained 0.3%, reaching $29.11 per ounce.

Oil prices dipped by around 0.3%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $79.39 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $75.30 per barrel.