Stocks Opened Slightly Lower, Tax Bill Debate in Focus

U.S. stocks opened slightly lower on Wednesday as investors keep a close tab on the debate among lawmakers on the tax bill. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately lost 39.19 points, or 0.17%, to 23,518.04. The S&P 500 fell 3.90 points, or 0.15%, to 2,586.74. The Nasdaq Composite was down 6.07 points, or 0.09%, to 6,761.71.

Oil prices traded lower on Wednesday as traders awaited a U.S. government report that’s expected to reveal across-the-board weekly declines for crude and crude-product stockpiles. December West Texas Intermediate crude declined by 21 cents, or 0.4%, to trade at $56.99 a barrel. January Brent crude gave up 27 cents, or 0.4%, to $63.42 a barrel.

AT&T Inc’s (T.N) chief financial officer cast doubt on when it will close its acquisition of Time Warner (TWX.N), saying on Wednesday the company was in active discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice that made the timing uncertain.