U.S. stocks drifted mostly lower in early trading Friday as investors reviewed the latest batch of corporate earnings and deal news. Health care stocks were among the biggest decliners.
KEEPING SCORE: The Dow Jones industrial average fell eight points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,723 as of 10:13 a.m. Eastern Time. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index slipped two points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,099. The Nasdaq composite gained seven points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,153.
REVENUE DRAG: Biogen Idec’s second-quarter earnings beat Wall Street’s forecasts, but the biotechnology company’s revenue fell short. The stock slid $65.12, or 16.