Summary US stocks opened a solid report on US economic growth, while Facebook gain on strong profits drove.
NEW YORK (AFP) - Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 73.92 (0.47 percent) to 15,812.71.
The broad-based S&P 500 jumped 14.62 (0.82 percent) to 1,788.82, while the tech-rich Nasdaq advanced 49.87 (1.23 percent) to 4,101.31.
US gross domestic product grew 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter, above the 3.0 percent expected by analysts. Increases in net exports and consumer spending offset the effects of the US government shutdown.
Nasdaq was the biggest winner in early trade as Facebook opened 15 percent higher after earnings rose eight-fold due to a big jump in advertising revenue.
Analysts said investor mood remains brittle after Wednesday s losses in Europe and the United States amid after growing anxiety about emerging economies.
"Things look okay at the moment, yet market sentiment has become somewhat frazzled with the increased volatility, the uncertainty surrounding emerging markets, and the simple recognition that 2014 has gotten off to a weak start," said Briefing.com analyst Patrick O Hare.
