US stocks were little changed on Friday as investors were hesitant to make big bets ahead of a statement by President Obama on the progress of budget talks in Washington that have recently driven volatility in financial markets. US President Barack Obama, visiting a factory in Pennsylvania, will press his case on raising taxes on the wealthy to narrow the deficit. He is expected to make a statement around midday that is likely to impact markets.
Corporations continued to anticipate a harsher tax regime next year. Whole Foods Market Inc was the latest to announce a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share to skirt higher dividend tax rates in 2013. The stock was up 0.6 percent at $93.60. The Dow Jones industrial average gained 5.63 points, or 0.04 percent, to 13,027.45. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index dropped 0.58 points, or 0.04 percent, to 1,415.37. The Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 3.43 points, or 0.11 percent, to 3,008.59. The S&P 500 was on track to end the month 0.3 percent higher, after declining nearly 2 percent in October. The index has recovered 4.5 percent since shedding 8 percent following the US presidential election earlier in November.