U.S. Stocks Open Higher, Eye Third Straight Day Of Gains

U.S. stocks opened marginally higher Wednesday after a pair of economic reports pointed to a slight slowdown in the labor market but a pickup in exports. Private-sector job gains in October slowed down to 182,000, while a trade deficit shrank 15% in September due to a pick up in exports. The S&P 500 added 3 points, or 0.1%, to 2,113. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 36 points, or 0.2%, to 17,953. The Nasdaq Composite began the day up 13 points, or 0.3%, at 5,158.