NEW YORK, June 23 (Xinhua) -- U.S. stocks opened mixed on Friday as investors were digesting the soft economic data from the country.

Shortly after the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 28.37 points, or 0.13 percent, to 21,368.92. The S&P 500 added 0.43 points, or 0.02 percent, to 2,434.93. The Nasdaq Composite Index lost 2.13 points, or 0.03 percent, to 6,234.55.

In economic news, U.S. private sector firms recorded a further solid expansion of business activities in June, but there was a loss of momentum since May.

According to financial information company Markit on Friday, the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index fell from 53.6 to 53.0 in June, lower than market expectations. The latest reading signaled the slowest upturn in business activities for three months.

Meanwhile, market participants are looking forward to St. Louis Fed President James Bullard and Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester's speeches scheduled later on Friday to get more clues about the future pace of rate-hikes. Enditem

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