Markets Right Now: Stocks opening lower on Wall Street

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are opening slightly lower on Wall Street Friday after U.S. retail sales and producer price index come in softer than expected in July.

Weakness seen as sign of consumer caution, although falling gasoline prices also contributed.

Retail earnings again in focus, with Nordstrom rising on larger than expected profit and Dillard’s down on weak sales at existing stores. J.C. Penney rising on narrower loss and improved sales.

Major indexes retreated from Thursday’s record highs. The Dow Jones industrial average down 27 points, or 0.2 percent, to 18,587. The Standard & Poor’s 500 is down 4 points, or 0.2 percent, to 2,182. The Nasdaq composite is down 8 points, or 0.2 percent, to 5,220.

Oil is up 0.7 percent to $43.78 a barrel in New York. Bond prices are rising and the yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 1.50 percent.