US stocks slip; an early gain in European markets fades
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are moving lower as investors look over a mixed bag of corporate earnings reports.
In Europe, stocks gave back an early gain after enthusiasm about more stimulus steps from the European Central Bank faded.
Dollar General rose $5.45, or 7 percent, to $80.66 after the company reported that its fourth quarter profit rose almost 6 percent, topping Wall Street expectations, as customer traffic and transaction amounts increased.
The European Central Bank surprised financial markets by cutting the main refinancing rate to zero from 0.05 percent.
Australia's S&P ASX 200 edged 0.1 percent lower, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell 0.1 percent and South Korea's Kospi added 0.8 percent.