US stocks have opened in positive territory following gains in leading foreign markets.

Five minutes into trade on Friday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 55.13 (0.36 per cent) to 15,288.35.

The broad-based S&P 500 increased 7.15 (0.43 per cent) to 1,657.62, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index jumped 18.67 (0.54 per cent) to 3,483.91.

Leading indices in France, Germany, Britain and Japan were all higher.

Briefing.com analyst Patrick O’Hare noted that several major companies reported weaker-than-expected earnings, but the “buy-the-dip trade looks set to go again today” after Thursday’s losses.

Markets were looking ahead to some key US data on consumer sentiment and leading indicators.