Stocks extend recent gains at opening

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening higher and extending their recent gains.

The advance comes as investors brush aside worries over Japan’s nuclear crisis and the conflict in Libya and turn their attention to economic news. Minutes from the most recent meeting of the Federal Reserve showed few signs that the central bank plans on making changes to its stimulus program.

The Dow Jones industrial average reached its highest closing price since June 5, 2008 on Monday. The market finished mixed on Tuesday.

In early trading, the Dow is up 47, or 0.4 percent, at 12,442. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 7, or 0.5 percent, at 1,339. The Nasdaq composite index is up 22, or 0.8 percent, at 2,813.

Bond prices are falling, pushing yields higher.