The markets opened lower as investors worried about weak retail sales. The Dow lost 24 points to 12,852 while Nasdaq slipped 3 points to 2485.

On the upside

Electronic Data Systems (NYSE: EDS) was the target of a $12.6 billion offer by Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) to create the 2nd largest technology provider after IBM (NYSE: IBM).

Shares of Fluor (NYSE: FLR) soared after the engineering company posted sharply higher 1st quarter profits that beat estimates.

Shares of Apple (NYSE: AAPL) rose following news of U.S. and U.K. online stores selling out iPhones, possibly clearing the way for the release of a new model.

On the downside

Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) posted higher profits, but its outlook was muted by higher energy and food costs.

Website Pros (Nasdaq: WSPI), which provides Internet hosting and marketing services to small and mid-sized businesses, reported sharply higher revenues and breakeven results.

Shares of IndyMac (NYSE: IMB) dropped to a new low on renewed concerns that the mortgage lender may not be able to remain solvent.

In the broad market, declining issues outpaced advancers by a slim margin on the NYSE and by 10 to 9 on Nasdaq. The Russell 2000 which tracks small cap stocks slipped a point to 732.