Midday Report: Detroit Three Post March Gain; U.S. Stocks Fluctuate

Stocks moved higher though remained under pressure as an unexpected slide in crude oil rattled Wall Street. Crude oil plummeted after Saudi Arabia suggested it would only participate in a production freeze if Iran and other OPEC members agree to chip in. Two separate readings on the manufacturing sector showed a surprise recovery. The ISM Manufacturing Index reported factory activity in March expand for the first time in six months. The sector has been hit by a stronger U.S. dollar which deterred international demand. Detroit's Big Three automakers were active as each reported an increase in sales in March, boosted by warmer weather last month and a few additional selling days to draw out consumers. However, General Motors (GM) - Get Report , Fiat Chrysler (FCAU) - Get Report and Ford's (F) - Get Report performances wasn't quite as strong as analysts had expected. TheStreet's Keris Lahiff reports from Wall Street.