US stocks dip as Greece uncertainty weighs

US stocks were slightly slower in opening trade Tuesday, falling with European equity markets on political uncertainty in eurozone member Greece.

Five minutes into trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 18,008.31, down 29.92 points (0.17 percent).

The broad-based S&P 500 fell 4.20 (0.20 percent) to 2,086.37 while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index dipped 7.91 (0.16 percent) to 4,799.00.

Analysts expected light volumes ahead of Thursday's New Year holiday, but also said the market was primed for some profit-taking after soaring to new records over the last week.

Equity markets in Britain, France and Germany were all off at least one percent as Greece set a snap election to pick the next president on January 25. Analysts fear a victory by the anti-austerity far-left Syriza party could roll back measures required under the IMF-EU bailout of the country.

"This struggle will determine whether Greece stays in Europe,» said Greek Prime Minister Antonio Samaras.

[AFP]