By Abhiram Nandakumar
Wall Street was higher in early trade, led by energy stocks, as oil prices rose on hopes of major producers agreeing to freeze output.
Brent crude hovered above $US40 a barrel on Wednesday, however, industry watchers remain sceptical of a sustained recovery in prices due to the oversupply.
"Obviously, it's about oil prices," said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial in New York.
"The market is probably going to have an upward bias for most of the session as investors await the ECB (decision) tomorrow," he said.
In early trade on Wednesday, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 45.78 points, or 0.27 per cent, at 17,009.88, the S&P 500 was up 6.14 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 1,985.4 and the Nasdaq Composite index was up 7.63 points, or 0.16 per cent, at 4,656.46.
All 10 major S&P sectors were higher, led by the 1.2 per cent rise in the energy sector.
Shares of Chevron were up 1.7 per cent at $US90.20, giving the biggest boost to the Dow.
Markets worldwide were lower as investors fretted about global economic conditions ahead of central bank meetings on monetary policies.
While recent data has pointed to a recovery in the US economy, reports out of Asia and the eurozone continue to paint a picture of faltering growth.
The European Central Bank, which will meet later this week, is expected to increase its stimulus program.
While the US Federal Reserve is not expected to raise interest rates at its meeting on March 15-16, the central bank has said it is on track to raise rates gradually this year.
Valeant was up four per cent at $US65.72 after the Canadian drug maker said it added three new independent directors to its board, including one from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management.
Air Transport Services surged 23.2 per cent to $US14.50 after the lessor said Amazon would lease 20 Boeing 767 freight aircraft.
Chipotle Mexican Grill were down 2.6 per cent at $US511.73.
The company, already reeling from several food-borne illnesses, temporarily shut a Massachusetts restaurant after four employees fell sick.
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners on the NYSE by 2,076 to 542.
On the Nasdaq, 1,576 issues rose and 582 fell.
The S&P 500 index showed 17 new 52-week highs and one new low, while the Nasdaq recorded 23 new highs and 20 new lows.
Reuters
