U.S. stocks fall amid economic data

U.S. stocks traded lower Monday after the long Easter weekend, as investors digested newly-released data and awaited remarks from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.

At midday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked down 1.54 points, or 0.01 percent, to 17,514.19. The S&P 500 lost 0.61 points, or 0.03 percent, to 2,035.33. The Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 7.05 points, or 0.15 percent, to 4,766.46.

"As slow as last week was, chances are that this week will offer opportunity. The macro will be heavy, beginning with the PCE print today, running through Europe, and China, and then culminating in another U.S. Jobs Friday," said Stephen Guilfoyle, managing director at Deep Value.

Personal income increased 23.7 billion U.S. dollars, or 0.2 percent, and disposable personal income rose 23.7 billion dollars, or 0.2 percent, in February, the U.S. Commerce Department announced Monday.

Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased 11 billion dollars, or 0.1 percent, in February.

While U.S. markets were closed for Good Friday, U.S. economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2015 was revised up.

The third GDP estimate showed an annual growth rate of 1.4 percent during the October-December period of 2015, higher than the previously reported 1 percent, according to the Commerce Department.

Fed Chair Yellen will speak on economic and monetary policy Tuesday and traders will focus on her speech for more clues about how many rate hikes the Fed is planning and their timing. Endit