US market indexes open little changed; Energy sector recovers as oil price price turns higher

U.S. stock indexes are little changed in early trading, while energy companies recover.

Nordstrom rose 2 percent after the company reported better quarterly results than analysts were expecting.

Halliburton and Baker Hughes rose 4 percent each following reports that the oilfield services companies were considering a combination.

The Standard & Poor's 500 edged up a point to 2,040 as of 9:35 a.m. Eastern time Friday.

The Dow Jones industrial average was flat at 17,653. The Dow is at a record high.

The Nasdaq composite slipped a point to 4,678.

The price of oil turned higher, bringing relief to the slumping energy sector. U.S. crude rose 86 cents to $75.04 a barrel in New York.