U.S. Stocks Struggle To Push Higher

U.S. stocks opened little changed on Wednesday as investors assessed a deluge of economic data. Weekly jobless claims spiked to the highest level in 11 weeks, in a sign that hiring may have slowed down a bit. Consumer spending climbed by less than expected, while inflation remains below the Federal Reserve's target rate of 2%. Reports on home sales and consumer sentiment are due at 9:45 a.m. Eastern. The S&P 500 opened a point higher at 2,068. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat at 17,814. The Nasdaq Composite began the day flat at 4,758.