U.S. Stocks Open Lower as Oil Prices Give Back Chunk of Recent Rally

U.S. stocks open lower as China becomes a worry again. The Shanghai index had its worst day in a month. Strong online sales and demand for furniture and women's apparel helped U.S. retail sales grow by a 'solid' 7.9 percent this holiday season, according to MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse. U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles and gas, had grown 5.5 percent in the period between Black Friday and Christmas Eve last year. Strong furniture sales showed that shoppers were willing to spend on big ticket items. Online sales grew 20 percent in the holiday season this year, according to MasterCard Advisors. Federal Express (FDX) is trying to recover after adverse weather and unexpected demand led to late deliveries for Christmas.