U.S. Stocks Open Higher; Dow Gains 105 Points

U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday as investors digested a number of upbeat economic reports and a day after the Federal Reserve struck a dovish tone and emphasized that rate hikes will come at a slower pace than expected. The S&P 500 opened 8 points, or 0.4%, higher at 2,108. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 105 points, or 0.5%, to 18,029 at the open. The Nasdaq Composite began the day up 23 points, or 0.5% at 5,088.