US stocks open higher after ending 4-day losing streak

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - US stocks opened higher Wednesday as major indexes ended a four-day losing streak during the previous day’s session.

The blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average rose 325 points, or 1%, to 33,175 at 9.40 a.m. EDT. The S&P 500 added 26 points, or 0.68%, to 3,847.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq increased 48 points, or 0.46%, to 10,595.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, plummeted 4% to 20.62 with rising confidence from investors. The 10-year US Treasury yield fell 1.2% to 3.640%.

The dollar index rose 0.2% to 104.18, while the euro decreased 0.1% to $1.0610 against the greenback.

Precious metals were mixed with the price of gold adding 0.03% to $1,818 per ounce but silver fell 0.4% to $24.04.

Crude oil prices increased more than 2%. Global benchmark Brent crude was up 2.1% to $81.70 per barrel. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude was around $77.89 -- up 2.2%.