Wall Street opens lower after disappointing consumer sentiment data

US stock indices opened the last session of the week lower as the first-quarter earnings season progresses for major American banks and corporations, and following disappointing consumer confidence data. 

University of Michigan released its preliminary consumer sentiment survey, showing a drop to 97.8 in April from 101.4 in March, missing expectations of 100.6. 

US JOLTS job openings fell to 6.05 million in February from 6.23 million in January, also missing forecasts of 6.11 million. 

As of 02:40 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 dipped 0.18%, or 4.80 points to 2,659.19, while Dow Jones declined 0.225, or 53.37 points to 24,429.68. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ slipped 0.34%, or 23.95 points to 7,116.30.