Stocks Slip Before the Open on U.S.-Iran Fears, Economic Data and Walmart Earnings on Tap

Economic data released on Wednesday showed that U.S. durable goods orders fell -1.4% m/m in December, stronger than expectations of -1.8% m/m, while core durable goods orders, which exclude transportation, climbed +0.9% m/m, stronger than expectations of +0.3% m/m. Also, U.S. December housing starts rose +6.2% m/m to a 5-month high of 1.404 million, stronger than expectations of 1.310 million, and building permits, a proxy for future construction, rose +4.3% m/m to a 9-month high of 1.448 million, stronger ...