S&P 500, Nasdaq open higher as earnings optimism overshadows Middle East woes

[NEW YORK] The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq opened higher on Thursday (Apr 30) as investors drew comfort from strong earnings, even as fears about an escalation in the Middle East conflict deepened.

The S&P 500 rose 25.8 points, or 0.36 per cent, at the open to 7,161.75​, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 186.7 points, or 0.76 per cent, to 24,859.941.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 98.9 points, or 0.20 per cent, at the open to 48,762.93. REUTERS