US equities rise after three-day losing streak

Stock markets in the US advanced in early trading as investors returned from Easter Holiday, although gains remain capped due to slide in oil prices.

At the time of writing, Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was up 39 points or 0.22%. S&P 500 was up 3 points or 0.13%. Nasdaq traded 7 points or 0.16% higher.

Microsoft shares were down 0.80%, followed by a 0.60% drop in American Express. Meanwhile, Home Depot was up 1% and was followed by names like Goldman Sachs, Du Point, and Walt Disney.

The indices were struggling to extend gains as sliding oil prices ensured the DJIA oil and gas index dropped almost 0.60%.