Stocks slip ahead of consumer confidence report

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are edging lower in early trading as investors remain nervous about the economy.

A report due out later today is expected to show regional manufacturing activity in the Midwest slowed this month, similar to other regional manufacturing indexes in recent weeks. Another is expected to say consumer confidence remains low as people worry about their jobs and cut down on spending.

Home prices rose in June for the third straight month. But sales were still getting a lift from the surge of buyers thanks to a now expired tax credit.

The Dow Jones industrial average is down 32, or 0.3 percent, at 9,978. The S&P 500 is down 3, or 0.3 percent, at 1,045, while the Nasdaq composite is down 8, or 0.4 percent, at 2,112.