Stocks Opened Lower as Retail Sales Disappointed

U.S. stocks fell at open on Monday, after data showed that U.S. retail sales barely rose in September. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lately slipped 50.04 points, or 0.20%, to 25,289.95. The S&P 500 declined 12.30 points, or 0.44%, to 2,754.83. The Nasdaq Composite fell 66.60 points, or 0.89%, to 7,430.30.

Oil prices moved higher in choppy action on Monday, feeding off a growing feud between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia over a missing journalist. November West Texas Intermediate crude rose 59 cents, or 0.8%, to $71.93 a barrel. Brent crude rose to $81.26 a barrel, a gain of 82 cents or 1%, after a 4.4% drop last week.

Sales at U.S. retailers barely grew in September as Americans spent less at restaurants, grocery stores and gas stations. Retail sales rose just 0.1% for the second month in a row, the government said Monday.

Sears (SHLD) filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection early on Monday, crippled from years of losses and mounting debt. Sears plans to close about 142 money-losing stores by year end. The company operates 700 or Sears and Kmart stores.