U.S. stocks open higher on oil prices, data

U.S. stocks opened higher on Wednesday, as investors eyed a sharp rally in oil prices and newly released economic data.

Traders kept a close eye on surging oil prices amid a key meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna.

Both U.S. oil and Brent crude soared about 7 percent in early trading on Wednesday.

Some OPEC states are signaling optimism over reaching a possible deal to cut oil production.

On the economic front, U.S. private-sector employment increased by 216,000 jobs from October to November, well above market estimates, according to the November ADP National Employment Report Wednesday.

The ADP figure is watched closely as a pre-indicator for the nonfarm payrolls report due Friday.

U.S. personal income increased 98.6 billion U.S. dollars, or 0.6 percent, in October, said the Commerce Department on Wednesday.

Disposable personal income increased 86.5 billion dollars, or 0.6 percent, and personal consumption expenditures increased 38.1 billion dollars, or 0.3 percent.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 91.89 points, or 0.48 percent, to 19,213.49. The S&P 500 gained 9.30 points, or 0.42 percent, to 2,213.96. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 11.91 points, or 0.22 percent, to 5,391.82. Endi