(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 10 apr - US shares opened slightly higher as investors digested the latest inflation data and developments in the Middle East ahead of Iran peace talks this weekend.

With the Strait of Hormuz still closed to tanker traffic, concern over the staying power of a two-week ceasefire deal hammered out earlier this week between Washington and Tehran is keeping traders on edge.

In recent comments, US president Donald Trump said Iran was doing 'a very poor job' in keeping oil flowing through Hormuz and warned Tehran against the idea of imposing tolls on ships using the waterway.

But oil prices came off earlier gains to trade lower after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had agreed to talks with Lebanon 'as soon as possible.' Attention now turns to weekend talks between the US and Israel to see if the ceasefire agreement can be firmed up.

On the data front meanwhile, inflation in March grew the most since 2022 driven by higher energy prices in the wake of hostilities in the Middle East. Bets are rising that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates on hold for the foreseeable future.

Just after the opening bell the Dow Jones was up 13.59 points, or 0.03%, at 48,199.39 points, the S&P 500 was up 14.58 points, or 0.21%, at 6,839.24, while the Nasdaq was up.

91.95 points, or 0.40%, at 22,914.36.

(RADIOCOR) 10-04-26 15:48:04 (0423) 5 NNNN