U.S. stocks open higher after tame inflation data

NEW YORK, Mar 16 (Reuters) U.S. stocks opened higher on Thursday after a consumer prices report showed inflation at benign levels, signaling the Federal Reserve would have less reason to raise interest rates aggressively.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 9.17 points, or 0.08 per cent, at 11,218.94. The Standard&Poor's 500 Index was up 1.38 points, or 0.11 per cent, at 1,304.40. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 7.27 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 2,319.11.

REUTERS SD KP2007