Wall Street opens lower after weak retail sales data

US stock indices opened lower on concerns over growth after a series of disappointing data. 

US retail sales fell 1.2% in December, the worst such decline since late 2009, while analysts expected a 0.1% increase. 

Core sales, excluding cars, fell 1.8%, missing estimates of no change. 

The dollar index shed 0.2% to 97.04, with a session-low at 96.9. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to meet the US delegation tomorrow to discuss a possible trade agreement. 

Dow Jones fell 0.4% to 25,440, while Nasdaq dipped two points to 7,417, as Standard and Poor's gave up 0.3% to 2,744.