Markets Right Now: After a shaky start, stocks move higher

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

11:45 a.m.

After a shaky start, U.S. stocks are higher in midday trading as technology companies continue to climb.

Consumer-focused companies are up Wednesday as Amazon jumps, but retailers including Dick’s Sporting Goods, Express and Chico’s FAS are falling after releasing their latest results.

The benchmark S&P 500 index is on track for its fourth gain in a row.

Liquor maker Brown-Forman rose 1.4 per cent after reporting strong overseas sales. Hewlett Packard Enterprise was up 1.5 per cent.

The S&P 500 index rose 14 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 2,912.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 81 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 26,144. The Nasdaq composite increased 64 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 8,093.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.89 per cent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are opening mostly higher on Wall Street after several companies turned in results that were better than analysts expected.

Liquor maker Brown-Forman jumped 2.4 per cent in early trading Wednesday after reporting strong overseas sales.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise was up 2 per cent after its quarterly results also came in ahead of forecasts.

The S&P 500 index rose 3 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,900.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 9 points, less than 0.1 per cent, to 26,054. The Nasdaq composite increased 18 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,049.

Bond prices didn’t move much. The yield on the 10-year Treasury held steady at 2.88 per cent.