LIVE MARKETS-Nasdaq, S&P 500 inch up; US says talks with China going well

Welcome to the home for real-time coverage of markets brought to you by Reuters reporters. You can share your thoughts with us at markets.research@thomsonreuters.com

NASDAQ, S&P 500 INCH UP; US SAYS TALKS WITH CHINA GOING WELL

The Nasdaq .IXIC and S&P 500 .SPX are edging higher in early trading on Tuesday, with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick saying trade talks with China are going well. The Dow .DJI is flat.

An index of semiconductors .SOX is up more than 1% after posting its highest close on Monday since February 20.

U.S. and China officials met for a second day in London in an attempt to come to an agreement on export controls.

White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday the U.S. was likely to agree to lift export controls on some semiconductors in return for China speeding up the delivery of rare earths.

Energy .SPNY is the leading gainer among S&P 500 sectors, while industrials .SPLRCI are down the most.

Here is the early market snapshot:

(Caroline Valetkevitch)

EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

WALL STREET SAYS APPLE'S WWDC WAS SHORT OF A SPARK — EVEN WITH A SHINY NEW LOOK CLICK HERE

DOMINANCE RESHUFFLE: US BANKS FACE CHALLENGERS WITH FOREIGN ACCENTS CLICK HERE

EVEN WITH A RUNNING START, NASDAQ COMPOSITE'S HURDLES LOOM LARGE CLICK HERE

A LOOK UNDER THE HOOD OF WEAK UK JOBS DATA CLICK HERE

RARE EARTHS AND CHIPS: "LIKE CHILDREN IN A DIVORCE" CLICK HERE

GERMAN BULLS STAY STRONG, BUT BRACE FOR 'AIR POCKETS' CLICK HERE

LONG ON US TREASURIES AFTER JOBS DATA - UBS CLICK HERE

NOVO UP, UBS DOWN, FTSE NEAR PEAK CLICK HERE

BEFORE THE BELL: FUTURES POINT TO STEADY START CLICK HERE

INVESTORS ITCHING FOR PROGRESS IN US-CHINA TALKS CLICK HERE