US stocks slip at midday on news of slowing home sales; Family Dollar jumps on merger news

U.S. stocks are slightly lower in midday trading after a report of sluggish sales in the housing market.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index was down three points, or 0.2 percent, to 1,974 as of 12 p.m. Eastern time on Monday. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 28 points, 0.2 percent, to 16,932. The Nasdaq dropped 17 points, or 0.4 percent, to 4,432.

Fewer Americans signed contracts to buy homes in June amid meager wage growth and higher prices. Homebuilder D.R. Horton fell 3 percent, making it one of the biggest decliners in the S&P 500.

Family Dollar soared 23 percent after Dollar Tree announced plans to buy the rival discount store. Last month, Carl Icahn, who has built up a stake in the company, urged Family Dollar to sell itself.