US stocks open higher after producer inflation figures

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Major stock exchanges in the US opened Friday higher after the release of producer price figures.

The Dow Jones was up 266 points, or 0.63%, to 42.720 at 10.15 a.m. EDT (1415GMT). The S&P 500 rose 32 points, or 0.56%, to 5,813.

The Nasdaq, meanwhile, increased 53 points, or 0.3%, to reach 18,336 at the time.

Producer inflation in the US remained unchanged on a monthly basis in September, according to a Labor Department statement released earlier. On an annual basis, the figure rose 1.8% in September.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, dove 2% to 20.43. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 0.1% to 4.098%.

The US dollar index lost 0.06% to 102.92, while the euro rose 0.11% to $1.0947 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in positive territory, with gold adding 0.8% to $2,652 per ounce and silver rising 1.2% to $31.53.

Oil prices were down around 0.6%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $78.92 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate at $75.37.