U.S. stocks open higher as China trade tensions ease

U.S. equity markets opened sharply higher on Monday, with the major indexes attempting a rebound after their worst weekly performance in more than two years. Monday's rally comes following reports that U.S. and China are conducting behind-the-scene negotiations about trade. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, +1.73% rose 400 points, or 1.7%, to 23,936. The S&P 500 index SPX, +1.43% gained 33 points, or 1.3% to 2,622 at the open. Meanwhile the Nasdaq Composite COMP, +1.53% advanced 137 points, or 2% to 7,130. Among the best performers on the S&P 500, Lowe's Companies LOW, +5.78% jumped after the retailer announced that Chief Executive Officer Robert Niblock will retire upon appointment of successor.