Stocks open lower; conflict rises in Middle East By: CNBC.com News September 23, 2014 at 09:36 AM EDT Stocks declined Tuesday amid increased conflict in the Middle East and after the U.S. moved to curb tax benefits from corporate-inversion deals. Read More >> Related Stocks: AbbVie Apple Merck & Co Microsoft Pfizer Sentinelone Inc Cl A Shire Plc Ads