U.S. Stocks Open Lower Hours Before Fed Decision

U.S. stocks opened lower Thursday, following two days of solid gains, as investors braced for the Federal Reserve's rate decision at 2 p.m. Eastern. Opinions about whether the Fed will raise the rates or delay are split, while the Fed funds futures market is predicting a 25% chance for a hike. The S&P 500 opened 3 points, or 0.1%, lower at 1,992. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 15 points, or 0.1%, to 16,721 at the open. The Nasdaq Composite began the day down 8 points, or 0.2% at 4,881.