U.S. stocks pared gains and turned flat on Friday after data showed U.S. consumer sentiment rose more than expected in early December.

The Dow Jones industrial average <.DJI> was down 2.76 points, or 0.02 percent, at 11,367.30. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index <.SPX> was up 0.57 points, or 0.05 percent, at 1,233.57. The Nasdaq Composite Index <.IXIC> was up 0.71 points, or 0.03 percent, at 2,617.38.

(Reporting by Angela Moon; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)