U.S. Stocks Open Lower As Investors Brace For Fed Minutes

U.S. stocks opened slightly lower Wednesday as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve's last policy meeting, which could hint at when the central bank might raise interest rates next. Stronger-than-expected inflation data, along with hawkish comments from several Fed officials, have stirred fears that the Fed might raise rates at a faster pace than previously thought. Meanwhile, a retreat in oil futures also weighed on risk appetite. The S&P 500 was down 4 points, or 0.2%, to 2,043. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 32 points, or 0.2%, to 17,491 at the open. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite began the session down 9 points, or 0.2%, at 4,707.