US stocks close mixed on rising oil prices

New York June 23 (IANS) US stocks closed mixed as oil prices recovered from previous sessions sharp declines.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average on Thursday was down 12.7 points or 0.06 per cent to 21 397.29 Xinhua news agency reported.

The S&P 500 lost 1.11 points or 0.05 per cent to 2 434.50. The Nasdaq Composite Index added 2.73 points or 0.04 per cent to 6 236.69.

The market was under pressure on Tuesday and Wednesday as the energy sector dropped over 2 per cent on falling oil prices. Oil prices declined over 4 per cent in the past two days amid concerns of rising production.

Investors sentiment was lifted as crude futures for August delivery climbed nearly 0.5 per cent on Thursday.

Meanwhile the US stocks were also influenced by rising health care sector. The sector climbed over 1 per cent as investors were awaiting the unveiling of the Senate s health care bill next week with aims at repealing and replacing Obamacare.

--IANS
pgh/