RTRS: US STOCKS-Markets open flat as Dow news overshadows crude oil
U.S. stocks opened flat on Monday after higher oil prices offset a move by Kuwait to end a proposed $17.4 billion petrochemical joint venture with Dow Chemical (DOW.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), a move that could hurt the company's plans to buy Rohm & Haas (ROH.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).
* Oil prices CLc1 rose to more than $40 per barrel, while the price of gold also surged as Israeli warplanes hit the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip for a third day and Israel prepared to launch a possible invasion. For details, see [ID:nLT345484].
*The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI was down 2.95 points, or 0.03 percent, at 8,512.60. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX was down 0.49 points, or 0.06 percent, at 872.31. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC was down 1.27 points, or 0.08 percent, at 1,528.97.
