NEW YORK — Wall Street got off to a sluggish start today as investors appeared unenthusiastic about acquisition news and were cautious ahead of this week's earnings reports and Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Stocks fluctuated in early trading as investors digested several deals, including an offer from Warren Buffett and candy maker Mars Inc. to buy Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for about $23 billion in cash. Meanwhile, billionaire Kirk Kerkorian plans to make an offer that would expand his stake in Ford Motor Co. to 5.6 percent, saying he sees signs the automaker's turnaround plan is working.

This somewhat helped to offset disappointment in the market that struggling Continental Airlines Inc. said it would not pursue a combination with another carrier right away. It was a surprising move after weeks of speculation it would join with United Airlines to create the world's biggest carrier.

Investors also positioned themselves ahead of the Fed's policy-setting meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. The central bank is widely tipped to cut interest rates by a quarter point, then leave them steady for the balance of the year.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell 11.23, or 0.09 percent, to 12,880.63.

Broader indexes were also lower. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 1.11, or 0.08 percent, to 1,396.73; and the Nasdaq composite index fell 0.71, or 0.03 percent, to 2,422.22.