Published February 25, 2016 9:33am EST | Updated February 25, 2016 10:06am EST

U.S. Stocks Open Higher; Dow Gains 50 Points

U.S. stocks opened slightly higher Thursday, shrugging off economic reports and a rout in China's stock market and falling oil prices. The S&P 500 opened 7 points, or 0.4%, higher at 1,937. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 50 points, or 0.4%, to 16,541. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite began the day up 15 points, or 0.3%, at 4,557.