US: Stocks little changed after consumer prices rise

[NEW YORK] Wall Street stocks on Tuesday opened little changed after data on US consumer prices showed a rise in February for the first time in four months.

Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 18,101.95, down 14.09 points (0.08 per cent).

The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 1.23 (0.06 per cent) to 2,103.19, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.53 (0.01 per cent) at 5,011.50.

The consumer price index increased 0.2 per cent month-over-month in February, thanks in part to a rally in energy prices during the month.

Ryan Sweet of Moody's Analytics said core prices will continue to be pressured by volatile oil prices and the strong US dollar.

AFP