S&P 500, Nasdaq Open Higher with Focus on Mideast Developments

The benchmark Nasdaq and the blue-chip ​Dow opened higher open on Tuesday as investors awaited potential talks between the ‌United States and Iran that could end their six-month-old conflict.

Tuesday’s moves follow a strong session on Wall Street. The S&P 500 climbed 1.5% for its best day since Aug. 4, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 2.3% for its first closing record since June. The Dow Industrials rose 366 points, or 0.7%.

A decline in oil prices fueled the stock market’s gains, while Treasury yields pulled back as well. Even prior to the Federal Reserve’s move to hike its key interest rate by a quarter point last week, Treasury yields have been trending higher as the economy contends with rising debt, elevated oil prices and stubborn inflation.