US stocks open modestly higher on trade optimism, March jobs data

U.S. stocks opened modestly higher on Friday as employment growth in March accelerated from a 17-month low, easing concerns of a domestic slowdown, while hopes of a U.S.-China trade deal added to the sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 42.93 points, or 0.16%, at the open to 26,427.56. The S&P 500 opened higher by 4.77 points, or 0.17%, at 2,884.16. The Nasdaq Composite gained 22.73 points, or 0.29%, to 7,914.51 at the opening bell.