Stocks edged lower in unsteady trading on Wall Street as investors closely watch developments in China and economic data amid worries about stubbornly hot inflation. The S&P 500 fell 0.2% in afternoon trading Tuesday. The Dow and the Nasdaq also slipped. Small-company stocks were mostly higher. Energy stocks rose as U.S. crude oil prices climbed 1.2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the broader market. Hong Kong's benchmark index jumped overnight and other Asian markets also rose. Treasury yields rose. A business group reported that consumer confidence remained strong in November.

A Walmart employee who survived the mass shooting at a store in Virginia has filed a $50 million lawsuit against the company. Employee Donya Prioleau claims in her lawsuit that Walmart continued to employ the shooter “who had known propensities for violence, threats and strange behavior.” The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Chesapeake Circuit Court. Walmart,  which is headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas, didn't immediately respond to a request seeking comment. Prioleau’s suit alleges that she has experienced post-traumatic stress disorder from witnessing the rampage in the store’s breakroom. Police said that store supervisor Andre Bing fatally shot six employees and wounded several others. Police said he died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.