NEW YORK, Nov 21 — US stocks opened flat today after mixed signals on trade and a row between Washington and Beijing over the Hong Kong protests cast doubts on the timing of a deal to end the prolonged tariff dispute.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.81 points, or 0.00 per cent, at the open to 27,820.28.

The S&P 500 opened higher by 0.03 points, or 0.00 per cent, at 3,108.49. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.14 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 8,527.87 at the opening bell. — Reuters