US stocks dip ahead of Apple launch, Fed report

[NEW YORK] US stocks opened slightly lower Wednesday ahead of Apple's expected launch of a new iPhone and the Federal Reserve's "Beige Book" report assessing economic conditions around the country.

Apple shares advanced 0.2 per cent a few hours before the San Francisco event, which could also see the introduction of a second-generation smartwatch.

Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 18,513.47, down 0.1 per cent.

The broad-based S&P 500 lost 0.1 per cent at 2,183.91, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index dipped less than 0.1 per cent to 5,275.41.

AFP