Markets Open Flat, Dow Beats, Inflation Tame on Lower Gas Prices

Markets were little changed at the start of trading on Wednesday. U.S. consumer prices ticked up slightly in September as energy prices fell. Both the CPI and core CPI rose 0.1 percent. Economists had expected a flat month. In the same report, the government also announced an increase of Social Security benefits for 2015. Millions of older Americans who receive the federal benefit will get a 1.7 percent increase in their monthly payments next year. Target (TGT) is kicking off the holiday shopping season extra early. Starting today, the retailer is offering free shipping on all online orders through December 20. Target has struggled to restore customer confidence since last year's massive data breach. Dow Chemical (DOW) reported better-than-expected results before the bell. The chemicals maker posted third quarter earnings of $0.72 a share, the street was expecting $0.67 a share.