Wall Street opens lower amid European political uncertainty

US stock indices opened the first session of the week lower after closing on Monday for a bank holiday, with the financial sector leading the decline on mounting concerns over political uncertainty in Italy and Spain, which threatens European financial stability and nudges investors away from riskier assets to safe havens. 

Earlier US data showed the S&P House Price Index rose 0.53%, down from 0.84% in February, and missing forecasts of 0.7%.

On a yearly basis, prices rose 6.8%, same as before and beating forecasts of 6.5%, as traders now await GDP and payrolls data later this week. 

An index tracking US consumer confidence rose to 128 in May from 125.6 in April, revised from 128.7, missing expectations of 128.00. 

As of 02:58 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 fell 0.64%, or 17.55 points to 2,703.78, while Dow Jones slipped 0.85%, or 211.38 points to 24,541.71. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ rose 0.20%, or 15.12 points to 7,418.73.