KOSPI reclaims 7,000 level as Alphabet lifts AI optimism

NEW YORK — The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened modestly higher Wednesday morning, building on the previous session's gains as investors braced for closely watched earnings reports from Alphabet and Tesla after the market close, while rising oil prices and ongoing tariff developments remained in focus.

Performance across the 11 primary S&P 500 sectors was divided, with six finishing in positive territory.

Asian shares were mostly higher on Thursday, while the intensifying war with Iran pushed Brent crude past $96 a barrel.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 6 points, or less than 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.6%.