US stock market opens lower

NEW YORK (AA) – The U.S. stock market opened Wednesday with losses as investors are concerned that two officials from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), in upcoming speeches later in the day, could hint at the Federal Reserve raising interest rates this month.

The Dow Jones fell 22 points to begin the day at 18,515 and the S&P 500 was down three points to 2,183. The Nasdaq decreased two points to start the day at 5,273.

Kansas City Fed President Esther George and Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker are expected to talk about the U.S. economy and the Fed's possible rate hike in its September meeting.

Investors could take a selling position and the stock market may decline further if the officials make hawkish comments signaling a rate hike by the Fed, experts warn.