Wall Street opens higher led by sharp gains in energy shares

Major equity indexes in the U.S. started the day in the positive territory on Thursday supported by decisive gains witnessed in energy shares. As of writing, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.35% on the day while the Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 were adding 0.75% and 0.45%, respectively.

Following the reports oil tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman earlier today, crude oil prices gained traction with the barrel of West Texas Intermediate rising above the $53 handle with a daily gain of nearly 4%. Boosted by surging oil prices, the S&P 500 Energy Index rose sharply in the early trade and was last up 1.23% on the day to lead the gains. 

On the other hand, the Healthcare Index and the Consumer Staples Index are both losing around 0.25% to limit the upside for the time being. 

Earlier today, the data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that import and exports prices declined in April but was largely dismissed by the investors.