U.S. stocks opened slightly lower Wednesday as investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last policy meeting, which could hint at when the central bank might raise interest rates next. Stronger-than-expected inflation data, along with hawkish comments from several Fed officials, have stirred fears that the Fed might raise rates at a faster pace than previously thought. Meanwhile, a retreat in oil futures also weighed on risk appetite. The S&P 500 was down 4 points, or 0.2%, to 2,043. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 32 points, or 0.2%, to 17,491 at the open. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite began the session down 9 points, or 0.2%, at 4,707.
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