Stocks Edge Higher

Stocks got a modest boost at the open, as better-than-expected earnings battled with stress test anxiety. The Dow rose 51 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq added 0.6% and 0.4% respectively, the Wall Street Journal reports. Ford skyrocketed 19% after reporting a mere $1.4 billion—and more importantly burned through less cash. American Express and Microsoft also beat estimates; the Dow components were up 12% and 3.4% respectively. (More stock market stories.)