S&P, Dow Jones marginally rises after Ross's US-China miles away comment

The S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average opened flat on Thursday after U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the United States and China were "miles and miles" from resolving their trade dispute, while a rally in chipmakers boosted the Nasdaq.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 4.34 points, or 0.02 per cent, at the open to 24,579.96. The S&P 500 opened higher by 0.14 points, or 0.01 per cent, at 2,638.84. The Nasdaq Composite gained 16.49 points, or 0.23 per cent, to 7,042.25 at the opening bell.