US: Wall Street climbs at open on Ukraine peace talks, Fed on tap

[NEW YORK] US stock indexes opened higher on Wednesday (Mar 16) as signs of progress in Ukraine-Russia peace talks lifted sentiment ahead of a widely expected interest rate hike by the Federal Reserve.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 109.59 points, or 0.33 per cent, at the open to 33,653.93.

The S&P 500 opened higher by 25.69 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 4,288.14, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 170.74 points, or 1.32 per cent, to 13,119.37 at the opening bell. REUTERS