US stocks struggle to climb into positive territory

​​​​​​​By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Major stock exchanges in the US are struggling Thursday to climb into positive territory.

The Dow Jones was down 44 points, or 0.11%, to 38,633 at 10.37 a.m. EDT (1537GMT). The S&P 500 lost three points, or 0.06%, to 4,992.

The Nasdaq, on the other hand, rose 22 points, or 0.14%, to 15,778 at the time.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, rose 0.9% to 12.94, while the 10-year US Treasury yield added 1.5% to 4.162%.

The dollar index increased 0.2% to 104.28, while the euro fell 0.16% to $1.0754 against the greenback.

Precious metals mixed with gold trimming 0.24% to $2,030 per ounce but silver rising 0.9% to $22.42.

Oil prices jumped more than 2%, with global benchmark Brent crude rising 2.2% to $81.01 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude increasing 2.3% to $75.60.