Stocks opened higher following gains in American tech stocks investors continue to digest earning reports from major companies this week. After four days, leaders of the European Union agreed to a historic $750 billion recovery plan.

Stocks opened mixed in light trading as investors assess progress towards another stimulus package and wait for additional earnings reports later in the week. The U.S. reported over 140,300 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic with that number continuing to rise as economists emphasize the importance of containing fresh outbreaks to achieve any significant recovery in the global economy.

Stocks edged higher as investors weigh rising coronavirus infections and tension with China against signs of vaccine development and confidence that central banks and governments will initiate another fiscal stimulus.