(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - Milano, 23 apr - US shares opened lower as investors weighed developments in the Gulf and the latest round of earnings, including Tesla.

Oil rallied for a fourth straight day as prospects for a quick resumption of peace talks between Washington and Tehran dimmed. A state of deadlock has led to the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil trade, remaining blocked. Brent crude rose to trade above the 100 dollars a barrel mark.

On the stocks front, shares in Tesla were down 1.7% in early trade after the electric car maker said its free cash flow would remain negative this year due to 25 billion dollars in planned capital spending. IBM shares slumped more than 10% after it issued disappointing guidance while Lululemon dipped 8.7% after the athletic apparel manufacturer said it was picking Nike executive Heidi O'Neill as its next head.

Just after the opening bell the Dow Jones was down 205.18 points, or 0.41%, at 49,284.85 points, the S&P 500 was down 19.10 points, or 0.27%, at 7,118.80, while the Nasdaq was.

down 124.80 points, or 0.51%, at 24,532.77.

(RADIOCOR) 23-04-26 16:00:53 (0591) 5 NNNN