Stocks opening mixed following disarray in Italy

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Stocks opening mixed following disarray in Italy

NEW YORK (AP) - Stocks are opening mixed on Wall Street after the surprise resignation of Italy's prime minister sent a jolt through European markets.

McDonald's rose after reporting stronger sales.

The Dow Jones industrial average inched up seven points to 13,162 shortly after the opening bell Monday.

The broader Standard & Poor's 500 index was down a fraction of a point at 1,417. The Nasdaq composite was up a fraction at 2,978.

The departure of Italy's Prime Minister Mario Monti surprised markets. Monti was credited with restoring confidence in Italy's rattled economy. Italy's benchmark stock index dropped 3 percent and the yields on Italy's government bonds rose as investors sold them.

Monti said he can't lead the country after former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's party dropped its support.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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