U.S. Stocks Fall At The Open; S&P 500 Retreats From Record

U.S. stocks dropped at the open Tuesday, catching their breath after the S&P 500 on Monday scored its 53rd record close of the year. The S&P 500 shed 5 points, 0.3%, to 2,085, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 34 points, or 0.2%, to 18,003. Energy-related stocks were lower as oil prices continued to slump, and European equity markets also were mostly negative as upcoming Greek snap elections brought back fears of Greece leaving the eurozone. Investors await a reading on U.S. consumer confidence due at 10 a.m. Eastern. U.S. stock futures pared their losses only briefly after a report on home prices that was largely better than anticipated.