US stocks open higher as markets await private payrolls

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Major US indexes opened higher Tuesday as markets await private payrolls figure that will be released on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones increased 143 points, or 0.4%, to 34,426 at 9.38 a.m. EDT (1338GMT).

The S&P 500 was up 8 points, or 0.2%, at 4,299. The Nasdaq added 10 points, or 0.1%, to 14,510. Both indexes hit fresh record high levels on Monday.

The dollar index was up by more than 0.2% to 92.11 at the time. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury increased 0.9% to 1.492%.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, decreased 0.7% to 15.65.

Precious metals were on the decline as gold was at $1,758 per ounce with a 1.1% loss, and silver down 1.3% to $25.75 at the time.

Investors have focused on US employment figures to be released by the ADP Research Institute on Wednesday before market opening.

Private payrolls increased 978,000 in May, the highest monthly rise since last June. The market expectation is a 600,000 increase for this month.