Markets Right Now: Tech companies lead stock indexes higher

NEW YORK – The latest on developments in financial markets (all times local):

11:45 a.m.

Technology companies are helping drive U.S. stocks broadly higher as investors pore through the latest batch of company earnings and deal news.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP led the gainers among technology stocks Friday.

Blue Buffalo Pet Products jumped 16 per cent after General Mills agreed to buy the pet food maker.

Bond yields receded from the four-year highs they reached earlier this week.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 25 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 2,729.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 186 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 25,150. The Nasdaq composite increased 66 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 7,276.

___

9:35 a.m.

Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street, led by gains in technology companies and banks.

Hewlett Packard Enterprises jumped 10 per cent in early trading Friday and HP rose 7 per cent after both companies reported earnings that were much better than analysts were expecting.

Among financial companies, Fifth Third rose 1 per cent and BlackRock climbed 1.3 per cent.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 12 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 2,717.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed 136 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 25,100. The Nasdaq composite increased 46 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 7,256.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.88 per cent.