US: Wall St opens up after upbeat data

[NEW YORK] US stocks rose at the open on Thursday as data pointed to a strengthening economy that appeared likely to overcome the impact of a steep drop in oil prices.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 67.33 points, or 0.38 per cent, to 17,600.48, the S&P 500 gained 10.35 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 2,036.49 and the Nasdaq Composite added 23.54 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 4,707.57.

REUTERS