US stocks open slightly lower, extending recent decline

Source: AP

By STEVE ROTHWELL

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are mostly lower in early trading Monday, extending a recent slump.

Stocks have dropped for the last two weeks amid speculation that the Federal Reserve will raise its benchmark interest rates later this year as the economy continues its slow, but steady, recovery.

Fears over a Greek debt default following a tense few days between the country's government and its creditors weighed on European stock markets, particularly in Germany.

KEEPING SCORE: The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped three points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,089 as of 10:06 a.m. Eastern. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 22 points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,827. The Nasdaq composite fell 13 points, or 0.3 percent, to 5,054.

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