The latest on developments in global financial markets (all times local): 9:35 a.m. Stocks are opening modestly higher on Wall Street, led by gains in banks and industrial companies.
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The Standard & Poor’s 500 index gained less than 1 point to 2,139.
Meanwhile, traders are keeping an eye trained on oil prices, which have bounced back into positive territory after earlier losses – with October-dated crude futures last seen 1.6% higher at $43.98 per barrel.
US stocks are rising in midday trading, led by gains in banks and industrial companies.
Wells Fargo WFC.N shares rose 1.2 percent after the bank’s chief executive weathered criticism as he testified before a U.S. Senate panel.
Health care and industrials were leading gains, while telecoms shares lagged behind.
FedEx rose 1.3 percent after announcing shipping rate increases of 4-5 percent that will take effect in January.
The wider S&P 500 index added 11.43 points to 2,150.59, while the Nasdaq climbed 18.45 points to 5,263.02.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury note held at 1.69 percent.
The gains come after a choppy session on Monday, when stocks closed essentially flat in anticipation of the closely watched Federal Reserve and Bank of Japan monetary-policy decisions on Wednesday.
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.(SEAS) slumped 6.2% after the theme-park operator said it would suspend its quarterly dividend (http://www.marketwatch.com/story/seaworld-to-suspend-quarterly-dividend-2016-09-19-174852040).
The S&P 500 posted 3 new 52-week highs and 4 new lows; the Nasdaq Composite recorded 77 new highs and 33 new lows.
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Energy shares .SPNY were the worst performing group, falling 0.8 percent. The Nasdaq composite climbed 18 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5,254.
