Wall Street opens mostly higher

US stock indices opened the fourth session of the week higher, led by the manufacturing sector on short-covering after heavy losses sustained after reports that US President Trump seeks to impose new tariffs on $60 billion worth of Chinese imports, rekindling fears of trade wars. 

New White house Economic Adviser Larry Cudlow said that China hasn't followed trade rules for a long time, expressing his belief that trade tariffs won't harm the economy. 

Earlier US data showed unemployment claims fell 4 thousand to 226 thousand from 230 thousand in the previous report, below forecasts of 227 thousand, while the Philly Manufacturing Index slowed down to 22.3 from 25.8 in February, missing expectations of 23.1. 

The Empire State Manufacturing Index rose to 22.5 from 13.1, beating expectations of 14.9, while import prices slowed down to 0.4% from 0.8% in January, beating forecasts of 0.3%. 

As of 02:57 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.18%, or 4.91 points to 2,754.39, while Dow Jones added 0.40%, or 106.15 points to 24,864.27. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ added 0.11%, or 8.61 points to 7,505.24.