Wall Street opens higher, set for best year since 1997

US stocks rose modestly at the open on Tuesday after data showed home prices rose, keeping the S&P 500 on track for its best year since 1997 and the Dow on pace to record its best performance since 1996.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 33.07 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 16,537.36.

The S&P 500 gained 3.15 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 1,844.22.

The Nasdaq Composite added 7.04 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 4,161.239.

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