Stocks gain in early trading in US; Hope for a resolution on Greek debt lifts European shares

U.S. stocks are opening slightly higher, building on a big gain from the day before.

Technology stocks had some of the biggest gains early Thursday. Cisco System was up 1 percent.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 70 points, or 0.4 percent, to 18,066 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index climbed six points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,111. The Nasdaq composite rose 17 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,093.

The price of crude oil fell 52 cents to $60.91 in New York.

European markets were higher following more signs of progress in talks over extending an emergency lending program for Greece.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.44 percent.