March 19 (Reuters) - The benchmark S&P 500 and the

tech-heavy Nasdaq opened lower on Tuesday as investors shifted

their attention to the Federal Reserve's two-day meeting with

focus on economic and interest rate projections by the U.S.

central bankers.

The S&P 500 opened lower by 10.33 points, or 0.20%,

at 5,139.09, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 71.52

points, or 0.44%, to 16,031.93 at the opening bell.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 29.18 points,

or 0.08%, at the open to 38,819.61.