US stocks open higher as companies report solid quarterly earnings; Apple, Harley-Davidson up

Stocks are opening higher after several big companies reported results that pleased investors.

Apple and Harley-Davidson both rose after releasing their latest quarterly figures. Apple gained 3 percent after predicting strong holiday sales, and Harley-Davidson jumped 8 percent after its results beat analysts' forecasts.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 15 points, or 0.8 percent, to 1,919 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday.

The Nasdaq composite rose 47 points, or 1.1 percent, to 4,364. The Dow Jones industrial average increased 70 points, or 0.4 percent, to 16,461.

The price of oil rose. U.S. crude gained $1.14 to $83.08 a barrel.

Bond prices fell. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 2.21 percent.