Lower open even a wholesale inventories rise

The markets opened lower with the Dow losing 31 points to 17,583 despite a gain in wholesale inventories. Nasdaq eased a fraction to 4,659.

On the upside

BB&T will pay a premium of approximately $2.5 billion in cash and stock to purchase Susquehanna Bancshares (Nasdaq: SUSQ).

Fossil Group (Nasdaq: FOSL) reported higher third quarter earnings and revenue that surpassed analyst expectations.

American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) lifted its third quarter earnings outlook.

On the downside

Plug Power (Nasdaq: PLUG) narrowed losses for the third quarter as revenue rose but the results fell short of analyst expectations.

SeaWorld Entertainment (NYSE: SEAS) disappointed with lower third quarter earnings that missed estimates.

Altisource Portfolio Solutions (Nasdaq: ASPS) will discontinue its lender placed insurance program.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a margin of more than 3 to 2 on the NYSE and by nearly 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 lost 3 points to 2036. Bitcoin climbed $31 to $397.