U.S. stocks traded mildly higher Thursday, struggling to shake off early losses following a decline in oil prices that weighed on the energy sector. Investors also sorted through a series of mixed retail sales and jobless-claims data, searching for further hints as to when the U.S. Federal Reserve will lift interest rates this year.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) added 5.11 points, or 0.03 percent, to 17,407.62. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index (INDEXSP:.INX) edged down 1.26 points, or 0.07 percent, to 2,084.46. And the Nasdaq composite (INDEXNASDAQ:.IXIC) rose 3.38 points, or 0.07 percent, to 5,047.77.
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