S&P 500, Nasdaq Edge Higher as Investors Cling to Stimulus Hopes

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite Indexes rose slightly at the open Thursday as investors pinned to hope for new financial stimulus, while shares of the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell after new data indicated a slowing economic recovery.

S&P 500 rose 2.94 points, equivalent to 0.09%, to reach 3,438.50 points, while Nasdaq increased 42.28 points, or 0.37 %, to 11,526.98 points.

The Dow fell 13.40 points, or 0.05%, to 28,197.42 points.