US: Wall St subdued at open, focus on business activity data

US stock indexes were subdued at the open on Friday (Apr 21) as investors digested a mixed bag of earnings reports, while awaiting more data for clues on the outlook for US interest rates and the economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 6.98 points, or 0.02 per cent, at the open to 33,793.60.

The S&P 500 opened higher by 2.35 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 4,132.14, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 13.53 points, or 0.11 per cent, to 12,046.03 at the opening bell. REUTERS