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U.S. STOCKS HIGHER AFTER APPLE EARNINGS, INFLATION DATA

U.S. stocks are higher in the early stages of trading on Friday buoyed by gains in Apple AAPL.O after the iPhone maker reported earnings and gave a positive sales outlook, while a reading on inflation was in line with expectations.

Apple, with a gain of more than 1%, is the top boost to both the S&P 500 .SPX and Nasdaq .IXIC, as multiple brokerage firms raised their price targets in the wake of their results.

Each of the three major indexes are now poised for weekly and monthly gains, despite heightened volatility this month. Investors are now awaiting clarity on any tariffs U.S. President Donald Trump may implement after vowing 25% rates on Canada and Mexico by Fed. 1.

Energy .SPNY is the weakest performing sector in the early portion of the session, on pace for its biggest daily percentage drop since Dec. 18, weighed down by declines in Exxon Mobil XOM.N and Chevron CVX.N after their quarterly results. Trump said he has not made a decision yet on whether to slap tariffs on oil.

Below is your market snapshot:

(Chuck Mikolajczak)

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FOR FRIDAY'S EARLIER LIVE MARKETS POSTS:

S&P 500 FUTURES REMAIN PLANTED AFTER PCE - CLICK HERE

LOOKING THOUGH THE NOISE - CLICK HERE

CENTRAL BANKS SO-2024, NOW IT'S TARIFFS THAT MATTER FOR FX - CLICK HERE

U.S. STOCKS BENEFIT FROM JANUARY FEEDING FRENZY - CLICK HERE

EURO ZONE BLUE-CHIPS SET FOR BEST MONTH IN TWO YEARS - CLICK HERE

EUROPE BEFORE THE BELL: STOCKS SET TO CLOSE OUT STRONG JANUARY IN GREEN - CLICK HERE

MARKETS BIDE TIME AS ZERO HOUR NEARS ON TARIFFS - CLICK HERE