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

12:00 p.m.

U.S. stocks are trading higher on Wall Street Wednesday after fears about an economy-rattling trade war stepped down a notch.

The Dow Jones industrials rose 153 points or 0.6 per cent to 24,437 and the S&P 500 rose 12 points or 0.4 per cent to 2,735. The Nasdaq composite gained 8 points to 7,569.

Gains were led by the energy sector. U.S. crude oil prices rose more than 3 per cent. Concho Resources jumped 4.6 per cent and Hess Corp. gained 3.5 per cent.

Tech, raw materials and industrial companies gained on the ease in trade tensions.

Conagra fell sank 7.3 per cent after agreeing to buy Pinnacle Foods, owner of the Duncan Hines and Hungry-Man brands.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.84 per cent. Gold and silver prices fell.

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9:35 a.m.

U.S. stocks are opening higher on Wall Street Wednesday after President Donald Trump shifted away from a previously announced plan to impose limits on Chinese investment in American technology companies.

The Dow Jones industrials rose 57 points or 0.2 per cent to 24,338 and the S&P 500 rose 6 points or 0.2 per cent to 2,729. The Nasdaq composite gained 18 points to 7,579.

Gains were led by the energy sector. U.S. crude oil prices rose more than 1 per cent. Concho Resources jumped 3.5 per cent and Halliburton rose 3.1 per cent.

Tech, raw materials and industrial companies also saw gains.

Conagra fell 3.8 per cent after agreeing to buy Pinnacle Foods, owner of the Duncan Hines and Hungry-Man brands.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.85 per cent. Gold and silver prices fell.