LIVE MARKETS-Nasdaq up more than 1% early; tech, energy among gainers

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 UP MORE THAN 1% EARLY; TECH, ENERGY AMONG GAINERS

The Nasdaq .IXIC is up more than 1% in early trading Wednesday, while the Dow .DJI and S&P 500 .SPX are also higher, with tech, energy and consumer discretionary shares gaining.

The energy sector .SPNY is more than 1% higher, with oil prices up roughly 3% after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Geneva ended after only two hours. Iran-U.S. tensions are also supportive.

The tech sector .SPLRCT is also up more than 1%.

Shares of Amazon.com AMZN.O are up 2.2%, while the consumer discretionary index .SPLRCD is more than 1% higher.

Investors are also anxiously awaiting the release of minutes from the Federal Reserve's January policy meeting later today.

The Fed last month left interest rates unchanged. Traders are pricing in a chance of roughly 63% for a rate cut of at least 25 basis points at the Fed's June meeting, the first with odds above 50%, according to CME's FedWatch Tool.

Minutes of the Fed's January 16-17 meeting could provide more detail on why central bankers kept interest rates on hold last month and what it may take to convince them further rate cuts are warranted. Risks to the job market may be easing and progress on lowering inflation has been slow.

Here is the early market snapshot:

(Caroline Valetkevitch)

EARLIER ON LIVE MARKETS:

S&P 500: CAN THIS SUPPORT STEM THE DECLINE? CLICK HERE

AI-DRIVEN INCOME FEARS CLOUD LUXURY OUTLOOK CLICK HERE

ECB AFTER LAGARDE: KNOT OR... MAYBE A DOVISH SHIFT CLICK HERE

STOXX 600 TOUCHES FRESH RECORD ON EARNINGS BOOST CLICK HERE

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: POSITIVE EARNINGS LIFT THE MOOD CLICK HERE

GENEVA TALKS, INFLATION IN SPOTLIGHT AMID LUNAR NEW YEAR LULL CLICK HERE