New York: Wall Street stocks on Tuesday opened lower following a weak US inflation report and ahead of the eagerly anticipated Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting and the Scottish independence vote.
Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 31.85 points (0.19 percent) to 16,999.29.
The broad-based S&P 500 shed 3.07 (0.15 percent) to 1,981.06, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index fell 12.73 (0.28 percent) to 4,506.17.
US producer prices were unchanged in August from July, the Labor Department reported, more evidence of tame inflation in the modestly growing economy.
Analysts see investor caution ahead of the Federal Reserve`s two-day meeting, concluding Wednesday, that is being watched for signs on whether the Fed will speed up its timetable for raising interest rates.
Investors are also edgy over Thursday`s vote in Scotland, which has raised worries that a Scottish secession from Britain would harm the British economy.
