US stocks open slightly lower

U.S. stocks are opening slightly lower as trading winds down before the New Year holiday and as Greece heads for elections that could affect the country’s bailout program.

The Dow Jones industrial average edged down 45 points, or 0.3 percent, to 17,992 as of 9:32 a.m. Eastern time Tuesday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index eased five points, or 0.3 percent, to 2,085. The Nasdaq slipped 12 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4,794.

European markets fell and Greece’s main index was down slightly.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil was flat at $53.60 a barrel in New York. Oil has fallen 50 percent since June.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.17.