Stocks fall...Lower air fares help slow consumer inflation...German Parliament approves Greek bailout

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks have followed markets in Europe and Asia lower. The Dow Jones industrial average has been down more than 150 points in early trading on Wall Street. Traders are waiting for the release of the latest minutes from the Federal Reserve this afternoon, seeking clues about interest rates from the Federal Reserve.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Consumer inflation has slowed following two months of slightly faster gains. The July slowdown reflected in part the biggest drop in airline fares in nearly two decades. The Labor Department says its consumer price index rose 0.1 percent in July following gains of 0.3 percent in June and 0.4 percent in May. Energy costs edged up 0.1 percent but still remain 14.8 percent below the level a year ago. Food costs rose a modest 0.2 percent.

BERLIN (AP) — Germany's Parliament has overwhelmingly approved a third bailout package for Greece, despite misgivings by some conservative lawmakers of Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic party. Germany is the largest single contributor to the bailouts.

NEW YORK (AP) — Target is raising its annual profit outlook. The company now believes that it will earn $4.60 to $4.75 per share for the full year, up from its prior projection of $4.50 to $4.65 per share. The rosier forecast comes as the discounter more than tripled its net income in the second quarter. The discount chain says shoppers are visiting its stores more often and spending more on each trip.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Lowe's second-quarter revenue beat analyst estimates as customer stocked up on things like appliances and outdoor power equipment. For the three months that ended July, 31 Lowe's revenue rose to $17.35 billion from $16.6 billion. Sales at stores open at least a year climbed 4.3 percent, and 4.6 percent in the U.S.

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