NEW YORK, Dec 31 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks opened slightly lower on Friday, the final trading day of the year, as investors took profits after a recent rally that has the S&P on track for its best December performance in nearly two decades.
The Dow Jones industrial average was down 5.75 points, or 0.05 percent, at 11,563.96. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dipped 1.12 points, or 0.09 percent, at 1,256.76. The Nasdaq Composite Index was off 2.23 points, or 0.08 percent, at 2,660.75.