Debt-ceiling concerns weigh on stock market.

US stocks opened lower as a deal to raise the debt ceiling remained elusive and investors awaited minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting. The level of government spending next year remains a key sticking point in debt-ceiling negotiations, with the White House offering to freeze discretionary spending while House Republicans push for cuts. Investors, meanwhile, are looking out for more indicators about the likelihood that the Fed will leave interest rates unchanged at its next policy meeting.