(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 18 mar - US shares opened lower as investors digested hotter-than-expected inflation data ahead of the Federal Reserve's latest monetary meeting.

The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold later today when it wraps up what will be Jerome Powell's penultimate monetary meeting before his mandate as chair expires.

With energy prices on the rise due to the war in Iran, investors fear the US central bank may opt to keep rates steadier for longer to head off the threat of inflation.

In data today, wholesale prices rose higher than expected in February.

Meanwhile as US-Israeli attacks on Iran continue and Tehran responds with attacks on energy infrastructure, president Donald Trump said "we no longer 'need,' or desire, the NATO Countries' assistance - WE NEVER DID!".

On the stocks front, shares in Macy's were up 5% in early trade after the department store chain said sales had been lifted by its Bloomingdale's brand.

Just after the opening bell the Dow Jones was down 79.33 points, or 0.17%, at 46,913.93 points, the S&P 500 was down 18.93 points, or 0.28%, at 6,697.16, while the Nasdaq was.

down 58.88 points, or 0.26%, at 22,420.64.

(RADIOCOR) 18-03-26 14:51:58 (0406) 5 NNNN