US STOCKS - Shares open flat amid M

NEW YORK, Dec 11 (Reuters) U.S. stocks were little changed at the opening on Monday as a decline in oil prices hit shares of energy stocks like Exxon Mobil Corp., offsetting optimism over another round of corporate deal activity.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 7.93 points, or 0.06 percent, at 12,315.42. The Standard&Poor's 500 Index was up 0.57 point, or 0.04 percent, at 1,410.41. The Nasdaq Composite Index was down 0.99 point, or 0.04 percent, at 2,436.37.

U.S. crude for January delivery fell nearly 1 percent to .45 a barrel, while Exxon shares slipped 0.4 percent to .21 on the New York Stock Exchange.

REUTERS KR BD2032