Stocks opened higher, extending recent gains on the back of mild economic data which raised hopes that the Fed Reserve will cease interest-rate increases. The Commerce Department said both personal spending and income rose in April, helped by improved wages. Personal spending growth of 0.6% met estimates, while a 0.5% rise in income came in below expectations of 0.7%. Consumer prices, excluding food and energy prices, rose 0.2% in April after a 0.3% increase in March. |