Stock markets in Europe, US in retreat after soft economic data, airstrikes in Syria

FILE - This March 4, 2013 file photo shows a sign for Wall Street on the side of building near the New York Stock Exchange, in New York. U.S. stocks are opening lower Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014, following disappointing economic news and U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) (The Associated Press)

NEW YORK – U.S. stocks are mostly lower following disappointing economic news and U.S.-led airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Syria.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 24 points, or 0.1 percent, to 17,147 as of noon Eastern time Tuesday.

The Standard & Poor's 500 fell a point, or 0.1 percent, to 1,992. The Nasdaq composite edged up three points, or 0.1 percent, to 4,531.

CarMax plunged 9 percent after reporting earnings that didn't meet analysts' expectations.

European markets fell after a closely watched gauge of business activity in the eurozone fell to a nine-month low in September. France's CAC 40 index dropped 1.9 percent and the FTSE 100 in Britain fell 1.4 percent.

Bond prices rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 2.55 percent.