Nasdaq off more than 70 points as US stocks open lower

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Major indices on the US stock market opened lower Wednesday.

The Dow Jones declined 4 points, or 0.01%, to open at 30,519 at 9.33 a.m. (1333GMT). The S&P 500 fell 15 points, or 0.4%, to 3,704.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq decreased 71 points, or 0.66%, to 10,701.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was up 3.2% to 31.49. The 10-year US Treasury yield rose 2.5% to 4.100%.

The dollar index rose 0.54% to 112.73, still around its highest in 20 years, while the euro fell 0.7% to $0.97841 against the greenback.

Precious metals were on the decline with gold losing 1% to $1,635 and silver shedding 1.5% to $18.45.

Oil prices were in positive territory. Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading at $90.58 per barrel, up 0.6%. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was around $82.64, adding 0.7%.