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

11:45 a.m.

Major U.S. stock indexes edged mostly higher in midday trading as gains in financial companies outweighed losses elsewhere in the market.

Bond yields climbed to the highest level in four months Wednesday, sending bank shares higher and weighing on utilities and other high-dividend payers.

Energy stocks rose along with crude oil prices. Homebuilders declined following a mixed batch of housing data.

Technology companies lagged the rest of the market.

JPMorgan Chase rose 2.5 per cent, and Halliburton rose 1.8 per cent.

The S&P 500 index rose 6 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 2,910.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 197 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 26,446. The Nasdaq composite slipped 10 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 7,945.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 3.07 per cent.

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9:35 a.m.

Stocks are opening higher on Wall Street as the market builds on a solid gain from the day before, which came despite the latest ramp-up in trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

Banks and energy companies were leading the gains Wednesday, while safe-play stocks like utilities and real estate companies lagged the market.

JPMorgan Chase rose 1 per cent, and Halliburton rose 1.9 per cent.

AutoNation rose 2.5 per cent after announcing that its CEO was stepping down.

The S&P 500 index rose 3 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 2,907.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 110 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 26,351. The Nasdaq composite slipped 14 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 7,943.