Markets open flat as second Trump impeachment progresses

Stock markets on Tuesday opened flat, as the House prepares to impeach President Trump for a second time as early as Wednesday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened up 9 points, negligible in percentage terms, and the S&P 500 opened up 5 points, or 0.1 percent.

Last week, markets rose to new records despite an onslaught of unexpected news. Democrats won two Georgia runoff elections, gaining control of the Senate on Tuesday, Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, and data showing 140,000 job losses in December was released on Friday.

Markets did not retreat until Monday, highlighting the unusual trading environment.

Democrats are expected to advance a resolution calling for Trump to be removed through the 25th Amendment on Tuesday, and move impeach him for a second time if that effort fails.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is expected to expand guidelines for expanding COVID-19 vaccination to anyone over the age of 65, and release a stockpile of doses it had held as supply to be used for the second needed dose in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine regimen.