US stocks close higher to slightly recover recent losses

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) – Major US stock indexes closed higher Thursday, slightly gaining back some of the losses recorded in recent days.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 108 points, or 0.33%, to finish the day at 33,153. The S&P 500 added 21 points, or 0.53%, to 4,012.

The Nasdaq, meanwhile, increased 83 points, or 0.72%, to close at 11,590.

Indexes plummeted by as much as 2% apiece in recent days as the Federal Reserve minutes showed central bank officials want to see more proof of easing inflation, which triggered fears that the Fed would continue its rate hikes this year to fight inflation.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, was down 5.3% to 21.15. The 10-year US Treasury yield, meanwhile, fell 1.3% to 3.873%.

The dollar index was down 0.03% to 104.55, while the euro was flat at $1.0601 against the greenback.

Precious metals were in negative territory, with gold decreasing 0.1% to $1,823 an ounce and silver trimming 0.8% to $21.34.

Crude oil prices were up more than 2%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $82.40 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $75.58.