Technology companies and banks helped drive U.S. stocks broadly higher in early trading Thursday. Bonds yields declined after spiking a day earlier amid rekindled fears of higher interest rates. Investors were sizing up the latest company earnings news. Crude oil prices headed higher.
KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 11 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,712 as of 9:54 a.m. Eastern Time. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 115 points, or 0.5 percent, to 24,913. The Nasdaq added 32 points, or 0.5 percent, to 7,250. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks picked up 8 points, or 0.6 percent, to 1,540.
