Stocks opened slightly lower on Wall Street Thursday as angst over Europe overshadowed optimism over the U.S. labor market.
Stocks had been heading for a higher opening on enthusiasm over Europe and after news that jobless claims fell in the latest week. But the upbeat mood was subdued by a report in German newspaper Die Welt that Germany has not ruled out postponing a crucial EU summit set for this weekend to resolve the euro zone's debt crisis, Reuters reported.
The Associated Press also reported that less-than-stellar earnings reports from Southwest Airlines and AT&T may have also put pressure on stocks.