Markets tentatively higher in early going

U.S. stock indexes rose modestly Wednesday morning following gains in Asia and Europe. Gains were muted with investors keeping a sharp focus on negotiations in Greece, which is attempting to piece together financial reform measures to qualify for a new round of international aid. Some analyst say the deadline for full compliance with international mandates is soon, given a bailout needs to be in Greece's procession by March 20 or the country could go into default. In midmorning trading Wednesday, the Dow Jones industrial average added 9.73 points -- 0.08 percent -- to 12,887.93. The Standard and Poor's 500 index gained 3.67 points (0.27 percent) to 1,350.72. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index tacked on 13.48 points -- 0.46 percent -- to 2,917.56. The 10-year treasury note fell 6/32 to yield 1.996 percent. The euro rose to $1.3277 from Tuesday's $1.3261. Against the yen, the dollar rose to 76.93 from Tuesday's 76.77 yen. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index gained 1.1 percent, 98.07 points, and reached 9,015.59.