: U.S. stocks open lower as investors digest retailer earnings, await Fed meeting minutes

U.S. stocks opened modestly lower Wednesday as investors digest retailer earnings and housing market data while awaiting minutes to the Federal Reserve’s July meeting. The Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA was about flat soon after the opening bell, while the S&P 500 SPX slipped 0.1% and the Nasdaq Composite COMP shed 0.3%, according to FactSet data, at last check. Target beat profits estimates for the second quarter, but missed on revenue and lowered guidance, while TJX Cos. reported stronger-than-expected sales for the second quarter and raised its guidance. Meanwhile, construction of new homes rose 3.9% in July, the U.S. Census Bureau said Wednesday. The Fed will release minutes from its policy meeting in July at 2 p.m. Eastern Time.

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