US Stocks Open Higher Ahead of Fed Meeting

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are opening slightly higher on Wall Street. Investors are waiting to see how critical developments in both the U.S. and Europe turn out later this week.

The Dow Jones industrial average is up 26 points to 13,280 shortly after the opening bell Tuesday.

The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index is up two points at 1,431. The Nasdaq composite slipped one point to 3,102.

Federal Reserve officials gather for a two-day meeting on Wednesday. Many expect the Fed to take steps to revive the sluggish economy.

Germany's high court is expected to rule on whether the country can participate in a European bailout fund on Wednesday.

The government reported that exports to Europe dropped 11.7 percent in July, stoking concerns that Europe's troubles could smother the U.S. recovery.