U.S. Stocks Open Lower; McDonald's Skids

The U.S. stock market opened slightly lower on Monday following downbeat economic reports form China, Japan and Europe, which weighed on global equities. Sharp falls in oil prices added to concerns over slowdown in global demand. The main benchmarks retreated from record levels reached on Friday. The S&P 500 opened 6 points, or 0.3%, lower at 2,069. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 42 points, or 0.2%, to 17,916. The Nasdaq Composite began the day with a loss of 16 points, or 0.3%, at 4,766.