US stock indexes edge higher in early trade, a day after big sell-off; euro continues to slide

NEW YORK – U.S. stock indexes are opening slightly higher, a day after a big sell-off prompted by worries about higher U.S. interest rates.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 25 points, or 0.2 percent, to 17,687 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 gained three points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,046. The Nasdaq composite slipped three points, less than 0.1 percent, to 4,858.

The euro continued to slide against the dollar. It was trading at $1.05, its lowest level in 12 years.

The price of crude oil rose 19 cents to $48.48 a barrel in New York.

Bond prices fell slightly. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note edged up to 2.14 percent.