U.S. stocks opened mixed Wednesday, its first day of trading since Hurricane Sandy hit the city, amid stronger-than-estimated earnings from auto companies.

General Motors reported better-than-expected earnings Wednesday, saying net income in the third quarter fell 1.48 billion dollars, or 0.89 dollar per share.

However, excluding one-time items, GM posted 0.93 dollar per share, beating estimates.

Meanwhile, Ford posted earnings of 0.41 dollars per share Tuesday, beating expectations.

Some investors were concerned the regional economy would slow because of the weather but others expected a boost in employment from rebuilding after the superstorm.

As for shares, all 10 S&P industries sectors rose after the opening bell Wednesday.

Wall Street was closed Monday and Tuesday as Sandy hit lower Manhattan. It was the first time since 1888 the exchange had closed for two consecutive days due to weather.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 71.27 points, or 0.54 percent, to 13,178.48. The Standard & Poor's 500 was up 3.24 points, or 0.23 percent, to 1,414.98. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 3.90 points, or 0.12 percent, to 2,984.56. Endi