US stocks open higher as consumer inflation eases

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - US stocks opened higher Wednesday as the annual consumer inflation figure showed a slowdown.

The Dow Jones rose 155 points, or 0.46%, to 33,830 at 10.30 a.m. EDT. The S&P 500 added 15 points, or 0.39%, to 4,125.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq increased 40 points, or 0.34%, to 12,071.

Annual consumer inflation in the US came in at 5% in March, significantly easing from 6% in February, according to figures released earlier.

The VIX volatility index, also known as the fear index, fell 1.3% to 18.86. Meanwhile, the 10-year US Treasury yield shed 0.2% to 3.426%.

The dollar index trimmed 0.6% to 101.53, while the euro gained 0.7% to $1.0984 against the greenback.

Precious metals were mixed with gold flat at $2,002 per ounce and silver adding 0.4% to $24.14.

Oil prices increased more than 1%, with global benchmark Brent crude at $86.58 per barrel and US benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude at $82.39.