Wall Street opens higher ahead of Fed

US stock indices opened the second session of the week higher, led by the tech sector, following earlier housing data and ahead of the Federal Reserve's policy decisions tomorrow. 

Earlier US data showed building permits rose to an annualized 1.33 million units in November, besting estimates of 1.27 million, and compared to October's revised 1.27 million. 

US housing starts rose to an annualized 1.26 million units November, beating estimates of 1.23 million, and up from October's revised 1.22 million.

The Federal Open Market Committee is meeting today and tomorrow for the periodic policy meeting, with analysts expected the fourth rate hike of the year to below 2.25%. 

Stock Performance 

As of 04:04 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 rose 0.37%, or 9.50 points to 2,562.00, while Dow Jones rallied 0.57%, or 137.00 points to 23,809.00. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ rose 0.68%, or 44.00 points to 6,510.25.