U.S. Stocks Open Lower as World Markets Sell-Off on Growth Worries

U.S. stocks opened lower Thursday on fading expectations for an imminent U.S. interest rate hike following Federal Reserve meeting minutes that stoked anxiety about the health of the global economy. Shares in Asia hit a two-year low, German stocks extended losses in what is shaping up to be their worst month in over three years, and British stocks hit their lowest since January. Sears (SHLD) swings to a profit but sales continue to wither. In fact, if it wasn't for the sale of real estate, Sears would have lost money. Disney (DIS) was downgraded by Bernstein to MARKET PERFORM from OUTPERFORM, saying valuations for media stocks need to be adjusted because of an increased risk premium regarding affiliate fees. Weekly jobless claims rose 4,000 to 277,000. General Electric (GE) says it will build a 30 megawatt battery energy storage system in Southern California.