The U.S. stock market opened nearly slightly lower on Friday and was on track to finish the week with the steepest losses in seven weeks. Worries over a slowdown in China and a looming referendum in Crimea compelled investors to seek safe haven assets such as gold and bonds over the past week. Friday's economic data include wholesale prices, which fell unexpectedly, and a consumer-sentiment survey, due later in the morning. Eastern. The S&P 500 opened less than a point lower at 1,845.41. The Dow Jones Industrial Average opened down 2 points at 16,106.22. The Nasdaq Composite began the day 6.3 points, or 0.2%, lower at 4,252.49.