U.S. Stocks Open Lower; Wal-Mart Falls After Outlook Warning

U.S. stocks opened slightly lower on Tuesday as investors digested upbeat housing data and a mixed bag of earnings reports. A report showed that construction of new U.S. homes rose in July at the fastest pace since before the Great Recession, a day after a stronger-than-expected report on home-builder confidence. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. shares sold off after the retailer lowered its full-year outlook. The S&P 500 opened 3 points, or 0.2%, lower at 2,099. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 43 points, or 0.2%, to 17,503 at the open. The Nasdaq Composite began the day down 10 points, or 0.2%, at 5,081.