US stocks looking up at Thursday's open

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) – US stocks opened in positive territory on Thursday after mostly negative figures this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up by 88 points to 34,469 at 9.30 a.m. EDT (1130GMT).

The S&P 500 rose 20.3 points to 4,472, while the Nasdaq was up by 18.7 points to 14,302.

The VIX volatility index, known as the fear index, increased 4.75% to 22.47. The dollar index rose by 0.1% to 98.710.

Precious metals were also on the rise, with gold going up 1.28% to $1,962 per ounce and silver gaining 3.03% to $25.97.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude was trading at $120.4 as of 1330 GMT.