Stocks - Wall Street Rises on Hopes of Trade Progress, Central Bank Easing

Wall Street inched forward on Friday as traders monitored trade developments between the U.S. and China, while easing monetary policy around the globe increased hopes that central banks will help soften the blow from the drawn-out trade war. The Dow rose 62 points, or 0.2%, by 9:55 AM ET (13:55 GMT), while the S&P 500 gained 7 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite was up 13 points, also 0.2%. China cut its new one-year benchmark lending rate for the second month in a row on Friday, days after the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank reduced borrowing costs and left the door open for further monetary stimulus. Hopes of stimulus and growing optimism about U.S.-China trade talks have helped calm investors' nerves. Trade talks continued for a second day on Friday, with Chinese delegates staying on to visit American farm regions next week.