Wall Street opens lower on disappointing earnings, trade concerns.

US stock indices opened the fourth session of the week lower amid some disappointing second-quarter earnings results for major American corporations, and after reports that the European Union is preparing retaliatory actions against the US if tariffs were imposed on European cars. 

Earlier US data showed unemployment claims fell 8 thousand to 207 thousand from 215K, beating expectations of 220K, while continuing claims for the week ending July 7 rose 8 thousand to 1.751 million from 1.743 million, missing estimates of 1.729 million. 

The Philly Fed Manufacturing Index rose to 25.7 in July from 19.9 in June, beating estimates of 21.6, while the CB leading index rose 0.5% in June, beating estimates of 0.4%, and compared to May's no-change. 

White house trade councilor Peter Navarro asserted in earlier remarks that President Donald Trump's decisions are not destructive as some are painting it, noting that China is the only country hurting the US economy, while the US administration believes in free trade in a world that lacks it. 

As of 02:26 GMT, Standard and Poor's 500 fell 0.40%, or 11.33 points to 2,804.29, while Dow Jones shed 0.47%, or 119.03 points to 25,080.26. 

Tech-heavy NASDAQ dropped 0.38%, or 31.57 points to 7,822.88.