Stocks slip as July consumer confidence falls

Stocks are edging lower following a report that consumer confidence fell in July.

The Conference Board says its Consumer Confidence Index has fallen to 46.6 in July from 49.3 in June. Economists were expecting a reading of 49.

Consumers' confidence is closely watched because their spending accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity.

Stocks began Tuesday zigzagging following mixed corporate earnings reports.

Following the data, the Dow Jones industrials are down 18 at 9,090 after rising 14 ahead of the report. The S&P 500 index is down 5 at 977, while the Nasdaq composite index is down 7 at 1,961.

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