US stocks open higher on final trading day of 2023

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stock exchanges opened higher on Friday, marking the beginning of the final trading day of 2023 with gains.

The Dow Jones was up eight points, or 0.02%, to reach 37,719 at 9.42 a.m. EDT, while the S&P 500 added just two points, or 0.05%, to 4,785.

The Nasdaq increased by six points, or 0.04%, reaching 15,101.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 1% to 12.58 at the time. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 0.5% to 3.871%.

The dollar index increased 0.1% to 101.33, while the euro shed 0.01% to $1.1058 against the greenback.

Despite gains in recent days, precious metals were down with gold losing 0.1% to $2,064 per ounce and silver trimming 1.1% to $23.70.

Oil prices were up around 0.6%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $77.64 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $72.22.